Two-time Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu will represent China at next month’s Winter Olympics in Italy. The California-born freestyle skier confirmed her decision despite facing heavy criticism four years ago. She won big for China in 2022 and has made it clear she won’t change which flag she skis under.
According to The NY Post, Gu defended her choice in a recent interview, saying her focus isn’t on what the United States needs. She believes the US “already has the representation.” Instead, she sees her role as growing the sport in places where it hasn’t been popular. Gu called this approach “building my own pond,” referring to promoting freeskiing internationally.
The San Francisco native, whose mother is Chinese, grew up in California but estimates she’s spent at least a quarter of her life in China. She delivered for China at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, winning gold medals in women’s freeski big air and halfpipe, plus a silver in women’s freeski slopestyle.
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The citizenship question remains unanswered despite ongoing scrutiny
The biggest controversy around Gu’s choice centers on one unanswered question: her citizenship status. This became a major issue during the 2022 Winter Games because China doesn’t allow dual citizenship. This means Gu would have needed to give up her US citizenship to represent China.
When asked about citizenship, Gu continues to decline answering, just like she did in 2022. She’s been avoiding questions about whether she gave up her US citizenship. She says the question is irrelevant, stating, “I don’t really see how that’s relevant.” There’s no public evidence showing she’s given up her American status.
Many people suspected Gu’s choice was financially motivated because she could potentially earn more representing Chinese companies. She dismissed this idea completely. She said she’s just happy the sport is now profitable enough for people to consider money a factor. “I’m glad that there’s enough money in the sport now for people to think that’s a consideration,” Gu said.
Now 22 years old, Gu heads into the upcoming games as the favorite to defend her titles. She’s currently dominating the sport. Last week, she secured her record-extending 20th World Cup career victory at the Laax Open in Switzerland, winning her fourth slopestyle competition. Like other athletes who’ve returned to compete at advanced ages, Gu continues proving her elite status.
Gu will be one of the biggest stories at the Winter Games. While athletes in other sports are helping select their team’s leadership, Gu’s performance and the ongoing questions about her citizenship will keep her in the spotlight throughout the competition.
Published: Jan 23, 2026 02:30 pm