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| Eileen Gu studies when and where she can on the Stanford University campus. |
In a series of reports released on February 17, 2026, freestyle skiing sensation Eileen Gu revealed the dark reality of her time as a student at Stanford University, disclosing that she was "physically assaulted on the street" amid a climate of intense political hostility.
The 22-year-old athlete, currently representing China at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, detailed a pattern of harassment that underscores a deep ideological rift within the Chinese American community and the broader US political landscape.
Gu revealed several harrowing incidents that occurred after she enrolled at Stanford in the fall of 2022: Gu told The Athletic she was physically assaulted on the street, an incident that required police intervention.
She alleged her dorm room was robbed during her time on campus.and disclosed receiving persistent death threats linked to her 2019 decision to compete for China rather than the US.
Stanford University has remained reticent, citing student privacy as the reason for not providing specific details on the assault or robbery.
“Stanford University’s top priority is the safety and well-being of every member of our community. Our dedicated Department of Public Safety (DPS) is committed to creating a safe and secure environment for everyone on campus," the university statement said.
Chinese American community split
The depth of the ideological split surrounding Gu is most visible in her upcoming role as the Grand Marshal for the 2026 San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade on March 7.
Gu, a San Francisco native, went to local private schools before getting accepted to Stanford, but continues to face backlash for her decision to represent China instead of the United States in international competitions, including the ongoing 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Critics frequently label her a "traitor" or "opportunist" for benefitting from American training while representing a geopolitical rival.
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Supporters and parade organizers, including the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, view Gu as a local hero and a bridge between cultures. They emphasize her commitment to inspiring young girls and her advocacy against anti-Asian discrimination.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gu described a terrifying incident in a San Francisco Walgreens where a man screamed anti-Asian profanities about the virus at her and her grandmother.
Following the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings, she spoke out against anti-Asian racism and "domestic terrorism," emphasizing the need to stand against bigotry.
Critics—including some members of the Chinese American community—view her as a "PR asset" for the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party. This faction has allegedly organized petitions to block her Stanford admission.
One more event, then home
Despite the controversy swirling around Gu, she is focused on the Olympics this week having won two silver medals already she has a chance to medal in her preferred event. She will compete in the qualifying round of the halfpipe today, with the final scheduled on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Then she will fly home to be the Grand Marshal for the Lunar New Year Parade in San Francisco. Gu is looking forward to being the Grand Marshall for the Chinese New Year parade ushering in the Year of the Horse.
"Growing up in San Francisco, this was a huge part of my childhood and I remember going every year," Gu said. "I can't wait to light the fireworks and start the parade and being a part of the Asian community in San Francisco, and coming back to my roots is something that I'm so much looking forward to."
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