Olympic fury: Eileen Gu says China switch brought threats and assault
Freestyle skier Eileen Gu says the fallout from her decision to represent China instead of the United States included threats to her safety and a physical attack. According to Polish outlet O2, which cited an interview Gu gave to The Athletic, the athlete described a level of hostility that went far beyond online criticism.
Gu, 22, was born in San Francisco and announced in 2019 that she would compete for China, her mother’s homeland. The move quickly sparked debate in the United States and internationally, with critics questioning her decision and supporters defending her right to choose her sporting nationality.
In her interview with The Athletic, as reported by O2, Gu said the backlash escalated into real world incidents. “I was physically assaulted on the street. Police had to intervene. I received death threats, and my dorm room was robbed,” she said. She added that she was still very young when she experienced what she described as intimidation and attacks no one should have to endure.
A decision that ignited backlash
Gu’s nationality switch ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics turned her into a symbol in a wider political discussion. Having trained and studied in the United States, she faced accusations from some commentators who argued she had benefited from American opportunities before choosing to compete for China.
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Others countered that athletes with multicultural backgrounds are permitted under international rules to represent either country, and that such decisions are personal rather than political. According to O2, the controversy has resurfaced repeatedly at major competitions, reflecting broader tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Political figures weigh in
The debate has also drawn high profile reactions. According to O2, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with Fox News that he hoped athletes raised in America would choose to represent the United States.
Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom offered sharper criticism. He said Gu “was born and raised in America, built her fame here, and yet chose to compete against her own country for a regime that violates human rights,” and referred to her as a “traitor.”
Those remarks intensified an already polarized discussion surrounding her career.
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Success on the Olympic stage
Despite the controversy, Gu’s results have kept her in the spotlight for sporting reasons as well. Competing as Gu Ailing for China, she won three medals at the Beijing Winter Olympics at age 18, according to official Olympic records. At the Winter Games in Italy this year, she added two silver medals, bringing her career total to five Olympic medals.
According to O2, she is also considered one of the highest earning Winter Olympians. The outlet reported that she earned an estimated 23 million dollars in 2025, largely through sponsorship agreements.
A career shaped by sport and geopolitics
Years after announcing her decision, Gu remains both an accomplished athlete and a figure at the center of political debate. Each major appearance tends to reignite questions about identity, loyalty and the intersection of global politics and elite sport.
According to O2, which referenced her comments to The Athletic, Gu has made clear that while criticism is part of public life, threats and alleged physical violence crossed a line. Her experience illustrates how modern athletes can find themselves navigating pressures far beyond competition venues.
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Source: O2
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