 |
| Skier Eileen Gu has reached rock star status with her fans. |
The Olympic Games are over and here we are writing about Eileen Gu ... again! There is no denying the media attention the Stanford student has received has increased her popularity-- no matter what her politics might be.
Gu has once again proven she is the undisputed "Snow Princess," but her golden run at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games came with a heavy dose of geopolitical drama and personal heartbreak.
On Sunday, the last day of the Games, Gu successfully defended her Olympic title in the women’s freeski halfpipe, delivering a masterclass in amplitude and technical precision. Despite a fall on her first run, she roared back with scores of 94.00 and 94.75, cementing her status as the most decorated freeskier in history with six career Olympic medals.
Her gold medal comes after she won two silver meals at the Freeski Big Air and Slopestyle events. Combined with the two gold and silver medals that she won in 2022, Gu is the most highly decorated freeski athlete, male or female.
Did I mention that journalists hovered around her like a nest of gnats, asking over and over why she competes for China even though she was born and raised in San Francisco. She has remained consistent with her explanation of her 2019 decision.
“In the U.S. growing up, I had so many idols to look up to,” she said at the Beijing Olympics four years ago, where her stardom exploded when she began winning medals. “But in China, I feel like there are a lot fewer of those. I’d have a much greater impact in China than in the U.S., and that’s ultimately why I made my decision.
“In the U.S. growing up, I had so many idols to look up to,” she said at the Beijing Olympics four years ago, where her stardom exploded when she began winning medals. “But in China, I feel like there are a lot fewer of those. I’d have a much greater impact in China than in the U.S., and that’s ultimately why I made my decision.
Media jiu jitsu
She has shown her adeptness at handling the media. When asked by a journalist what it feels like to "lose" her gold medal after winning a silver medals instead of gold, she responded with a derisive laugh.
“I’m the most decorated female free skier in history! I think that’s an answer in and of itself,” Gu said at the press conference.
“The two medals lost situation, to be quite frank with you, I think is kind of a ridiculous perspective to take. I’m showcasing my best skiing,” she said. “I’m doing things that quite literally have never been done before and so I think that is more than good enough, but thank you.”
“I’m the most decorated female free skier in history! I think that’s an answer in and of itself,” Gu said at the press conference.
“The two medals lost situation, to be quite frank with you, I think is kind of a ridiculous perspective to take. I’m showcasing my best skiing,” she said. “I’m doing things that quite literally have never been done before and so I think that is more than good enough, but thank you.”
Vice President JD Vance reignited the debate over her decision to represent China, telling Fox News on Feb. 17 that he roots for athletes who "identify themselves as Americans" and benefit from the US system.
Gu, showing the same poise she has on the slopes, "clapped back" during a February 19 press conference, calling Vance's attention "sweet" and "flattering" while suggesting critics lump China into a "monolithic entity" due to political bias.
Gu, showing the same poise she has on the slopes, "clapped back" during a February 19 press conference, calling Vance's attention "sweet" and "flattering" while suggesting critics lump China into a "monolithic entity" due to political bias.
In another interview, she revealed that she was physically assaulted while at Stanford and her dorm room was broken into and robbed. She believed that the incidents were because she is competing for the Peoples' Republic of China, an economic and. political rival of the US.
No one asked about the political loyalties of Zoe Atkin, a Malaysian American who represents Great Britain and one of Gu's competitors in the half-pipe or the other eight US athletes playing for other countries.
I"’ve been very outspoken about my gratitude to both the U.S. and China for making me the person I am," she explained.
“I don’t feel as though I’m taking advantage of one or the other, because both have actually been incredibly supportive of me and continue to be supportive of me because they understand that my mission is to use sport as a force for unity. To use it as a form of fostering interconnection between countries, and not use it as a divisive force.”
I"’ve been very outspoken about my gratitude to both the U.S. and China for making me the person I am," she explained.
“I don’t feel as though I’m taking advantage of one or the other, because both have actually been incredibly supportive of me and continue to be supportive of me because they understand that my mission is to use sport as a force for unity. To use it as a form of fostering interconnection between countries, and not use it as a divisive force.”
Liu and Gu are not rivals
Gu reacted to Liu’s Instagram post — which showed her holding her two gold medals with the caption, “These are for y’all” — with a supportive comment: “YESSSSSS” in all caps.
RELATED:
- Alysa Liu's triumphant return from retirement.
- Asian American Olympians honor immigrant parents
- Asian American skaters key to Team USA gold medal
- 14 Asian American athletes to follow at the 2026 Olympics
- 'Snow Princess' wins a silver medal for China
- Judging controversy tarnishes ice dancing medals
- Chloe Kim offers life lessons after winning a silver medal
- Alysa Liu and Eileen Gu divide the Chinese American community
- Eileen Gu wins second silver medal for China
Gu's triumph Sunday was bittersweet; shortly after her gold medal run, Gu learned that her maternal grandmother, Feng Guozhen, had passed away. Gu dedicated the victory to her, calling her a "fighter" and a "steam ship" who inspired her to take risks and bet on herself.
After winning the gold medal, she was informed that her grandmother had passed away. Growing emotional, Gu shared that she promised her grandmother to be "brave like she has been," and she aimed to make her proud through her performances.
For Gu, the storm isn’t going anywhere, not anytime soon. After a modeling commitment for Milan's Fashion Week, she will fly home to San Francisco to become the Grand Marshall of the Lunar New Year Parade in the city where she grew up. Her role drew criticism from some in the Chinese American community who see her choice to represent China as "ungrateful," or "unpatriotic."
In an interview with The Athletic, Gu gave advice to young people. Don’t wait until you’re older,” Gu said. “Don’t wait until tomorrow. Do it now. Do it now. Do it now … create your own pond. It’s not about fitting into existing molds. It’s not about being the best at things that exist. Create your own reality.”
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge.
