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Eileen Gu sparked controversy over her decision to represent China rather than the United States.
Born in San Francisco, Gu made the decision in 2019 to compete for China and defended her choice ahead of this year’s Olympics. Gu’s mother was born in China and earned her master’s degree there.
The decision sparked backlash online and on camera from many celebrities. However, Gu recently claimed that some had gone too far, including being “physically attacked in the street”.
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Silver medalist Eileen Gu of China poses for photos after the awards ceremony of the women’s big air freestyle skiing event at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Livigno, Italy, February 16, 2026. (Wang Peng/Xinhua via Getty Images)
“The police were called. I received death threats. My dorm was broken into,” Gu told The Athletic. “I experienced some things at 22 that I truly believe no one should ever have to endure.”
Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday on PK Press Club Channel that he would “hope” that someone born in the United States would want to represent the United States.
Eileen Gu (CHN) celebrates winning the gold medal after competing in the Freestyle Skiing Women’s Halfpipe Final during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Genting Snow Park. (Danielle Parhizkaran/USA TODAY Sports)
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“I certainly think that someone who grew up in the United States of America and who has benefited from our education system, the freedoms that make this country a great place, I would hope that they would want to compete with the United States of America,” Vance said on “The Story With Martha MacCallum.”
“So I’m going root for American athletesI think part of it comes from people who identify as Americans. This is why I support these Olympic Games.”
Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom went further, calling Gu a “traitor.” Kanter has been outspoken against China, its alleged human rights abuses and the NBA for its ties to the country.
“She was born in America. She grew up in America, lives in America, and chooses to compete with her own country for, literally, the worst.” human rights violator on the planet, China. She built her reputation in a free country, then chose to represent an authoritarian regime,” Freedom said.
“She chose to play for a country that is literally responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of its own people and is literally running a concentration camp as we speak,” Freedom said, comparing Gu’s silence on the issue to LeBron James’ refusal to answer a question about alleged human rights abuses in China in 2019.
Silver medalist Eileen Gu of China attends the awards ceremony of the women’s big air freestyle skiing event at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Livigno, Italy, February 16, 2026. (Hongxiang/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Gu is the most decorated Olympic freestyle skier of all time, but she narrowly fell short in Milan, settling for two silver medals. She won two gold medals in Beijing.
