Oakland celebrates hometown hero Alysa Liu

SCREEN CAPTURE / KRON

Oakland's hometown hero Olympic champion Alysa Liu yells, "This is for y'all."

Alysa Liu didn't want a parade. She wanted a party and that's what she got as thousands of Oaklanders flooded Frank Ogawa Plaza Thursday to give a hero's welcome to their homegrown champion, Alysa Liu.

“What’s up, Oakland!” Liu said. “This is for y’all,” she added, holding the gold medals around her neck as the crowd cheered.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist stood before a sea of nearly 7,000 fans who turned out for a massive homecoming rally that felt more like a family reunion than a formal ceremony. 

“She’s our hero,” said US Rep Lateefah Simon . “She’s an American hero. She brought that gold to Broadway. If you want something done, have a young woman of color do it.”

At just 20 years old, Liu has already etched her name into the history books as the first American woman in 24 years to take home individual Olympic gold in figure skating, but today was all about the Town.

The energy in downtown was electric as Mayor Barbara Lee handed Liu the Key to the City, acknowledging the skater's historic double-gold performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The plaza is just a few blocks from the skating rink where Liu trained and Oakland School of the Arts which she attended.

In a move that felt uniquely Oakland, the event skipped the traditional parade in favor of a community-focused celebration at Liu’s own request. The stage was a showcase of local greatness, with emcee Sway Calloway keeping the crowd hyped while Kehlani and G-Eazy performed for their fellow native daughter.

The honors didn't stop at the key; the city officially declared March 12 as "Alysa Liu Day." Figure skating icon Olympic gold medalists figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi and boxer Andre Ward shared the stage. Bay Area legends including Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr shared heartfelt messages  to congratulate the young star who has captured the world's attention.

While Liu recently made the tough call to withdraw from this month’s World Championships to catch her breath after the "crazy" whirlwind of Olympic success, she isn't going anywhere. She has already confirmed she has no plans to leave the ice and is fully committed to the 2026–2027 competitive season. Fans won't have to wait long to see her back in action, as she is set to headline the Stars on Ice tour starting this April in Japan before bringing the show across the United States.

Beyond the rink, Liu is looking to flex her creative muscles in the fashion world, hinting at new design projects and a fresh vision for her upcoming programs. As she signed off on her latest update with a promise to see everyone next season, it’s clear that while she’s taking a well-deserved moment for herself right now, the reigning queen of the ice is just getting started.

At the end of the sold-out celebration there was an appearance from another Oakland School for the Arts alum: Oakland's own Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Kehlani, Liu’s favorite artist. Her performance had Liu and Mayor Lee dancing to her performance.

It’s a rare thing to see an athlete with this much perspective at such a young age, especially one who could still be at the top of her game for years to come.

“Representation matters so much,” she said during a press conference ahead of the main event. “We don’t really realize it. Having one person is sometimes all you need and I’m honored and grateful that I can be that for some people.”

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. 

Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu are being honored by their hometowns

SCREEN CAPTURE

As Grand Marshall of San Francico's Chinese New Year parade Eileen Gu was greeted with cheers.

Olympians Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu are back home in the Bay Area and their hometowns are celebrating their athletic accomplishments.

While the national media often tries to frame their careers through a lens of geopolitical tension, the local Asian American community is offering a much warmer, more nuanced embrace. From the streets of San Francisco to the rinks of Oakland, the sentiment is clear: these are our daughters, and we are proud of them.

In San Francisco, Eileen Gu recently took center stage as the Grand Marshal of the Chinese New Year Parade. Despite the "traitor" labels tossed around in the darker corners of the internet, the crowds in Chinatown roared with approval. 

Community leaders have been quick to point out that Gu’s success is an affirmation of the Chinese American identity, a bridge between two worlds that many locals navigate every single day. To the people who watched her grow up, her choice to represent China isn't a betrayal—it’s a personal journey of heritage.

Across the Bay Bridge, Oakland is gearing up for a massive rally at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza to honor Alysa Liu. The vibe in the East Bay is one of pure hometown pride, focusing on Liu’s signature grit and the "Oakland swag" she brings to the ice. 

FYI: The city of Oakland is planning a massive homecoming rally for Alysa Liu on Thursday, March 12 at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall.

Even with the complex history involving her father’s political activism, the community is rallying behind her as a hometown hero who has navigated immense pressure with grace.

As for Alysa, she seems to be everywhere you turn as she bathed in the Olympics afterglow: on talk shows, interviews by major media and in two giant murals (one in Oakland and the other in Los Angeles where she goes to school.)

She is a lively interview. Since the Olympics she announced she would not compete in the upcoming World Skating Championship this year. Not unusual as she values her frends more than the rigors of training and then, there's school where she is majoring in psychology at UCLA. 

She also said she and her family lean towards progressive causes especially around the environment and immigration, mentioning some of the "No Kings" protests in which she has participated. Liu has also defended Eileen Gu's decision to ski for China.

Liu and Gu first met each other at a Bay Area Chinese banquet when Alysa just won the US figure skating title at the age of 13. At that point, Gu was 15. They sang karaoke together, and, says Alysa, they've been friends ever since.

Alysa Liu is a favorite in the talk show circuit for her outspokeness and lively personality.

Despite the heavy political discourse that has followed them since the 2022 Beijing Games, both Gu and Liu remain steadfast in their perspective: they see themselves as athletes first, regardless of whether they are representing China or the United States.

Liu has been particularly vocal in her defense of Gu, labeling the intense scrutiny over national loyalty as "hypocritical," she says in an intreview in the New York Times. She points out the irony of critics who tell immigrants to "go back to where they came from" suddenly becoming outraged when an athlete chooses to represent their ancestral heritage. 

For these two, the bond of their shared Bay Area upbringing and Chinese descent outweighs the noise of international politics.What resonates most within the AAPI community is how both young women insist on being athletes first. They are rejecting the rigid binary that demands they choose one side of their identity over the other. 

To Liu and Gu, it isn't about geopolitical maneuvering; it’s about a love for the game and the drive to compete at the highest level. They’ve made it clear that while flags may change, their identity as competitors and friends remains unchanged.

By standing by each other and dismissing the outside noise as "hypocritical," Liu and Gu are modeling a new kind of cultural solidarity. They prove that you can represent different flags while sharing the same roots, reminding us all that the bond of community is far stronger than any political headline.

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. 

2026 Olympics: Eileen Gu's Olympic performance expands her popularity

 

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

Liu and Gu are not rivals

Gu has been contrasted with figure skater Alysa Liu of the United States in attempt to create a rivalry that doesn't exist. Despite competing for different nations, they maintain a relationship of mutual respect.

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. 

2026 Olympics: Skating with joy, Alysa Liu wins a gold medal

Figure skater Aysa Liu loves the audience applause after her gold medal performance.

If you weren’t already a member of the Alysa Liu fan club, her performance Thursday night in Milan probably fixed that. 

The 20-year-old from the Bay Area didn’t just win an Olympic gold medal; she reclaimed the joy of a sport that she once walked away from, and she did it with a "megawatt smile" that lit up the entire Milano Ice Skating Arena at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Liu’s victory is more than just a personal win — it’s a historic moment for Team USA. She is the first American woman to stand atop the individual Olympic podium since Sarah Hughes in 2002. For those of us keeping track, that’s 24 years of waiting, finally ended by a skater who prioritizes fun as much as her footwork.

Coming into the free skate in third place, Liu was the picture of "calm, cool, and collected." Dressed in a shimmering gold outfit that seemed to predict the final result, she delivered a masterclass to Donna Summer’s disco classic "MacArthur Park."

Her priorities

From her opening triple flip to her closing combinations, Liu was virtually perfect. She racked up a career-best 150.20 in the free skate for a total of 226.79, enough to edge out Japan’s powerhouse skaters Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai.

After her final pose, Liu didn’t collapse in exhaustion. Instead, she gave a casual flip of her ponytail and a shrug, as if to say, "Yeah, that's done. Time to go hit a karaoke bar."

Fans caught a real moment of triumph on camera as she stepped off the ice, she looked straight into the camera and exclaimed, "That’s what I’m f***ing talking about!" [Note: Viral social media moment]. It was the kind of unfiltered joy we love to see from an athlete who has truly found her voice.

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

Skating is something she enjoys, but it is not the most important thing about her life. After her performance she was interviewed by NBC and she barely talked about her her skating:

"Going into this free skate, I have this new dress I was very excited to share on the big stage, and I'm very happy with how I skated.

"I had dinner with (my family) last night and that was unbelievable. But another unbelievable feeling was just when I was skating. When I was skating, hearing the cheers, I felt so connected with this audience. I want to be out there again.

"All I want in my life is human connection and, damn, now I am connected with a hell of a ton of people (laughs)."

Life is more than the medals

For Liu, this journey back to the ice after her brief retirement in 2022 wasn't about the hardware. As she told reporters while her gold medal hung around her neck: "I don't need this... what I needed was the stage."

She leaves Milan with two gold medals—one from the team event and this historic individual title—and a reminder to all of us that the best performances happen when you’re truly having fun.

As she told reporters after winning gold, "I choose to be here ... I love that I was able to come back and choose my own destiny."

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. 

Olympic star Eileen Gu says she was assaulted at Stanford University

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.

RELATED:

• 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

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."

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. 

2026 Olympics: Alysa Liu in position to medal in figure skating

Californian Alysa Liu skated a clean short program Tuesday at the Olympcs

Alysa Liu sits in third place after a stellar short program at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, keeping American medal hopes alive on a night of mixed results for Team USA.

Skating to Laufey’s "Promise," the 20-year-old reigning world champion posted a season-high 76.59, trailing only Japan’s Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto.

“I am really happy about how I skated,” Liu told NBC. “I'm really glad I did super well. I felt super grounded, and I connected with my program on another level compared to the rest of the season.”

Liu, raised in Richmond, California, executed the most difficult jumping sequence of the night, a triple Lutz-triple loop combination.

While Liu delivered the "cleanest" performance of her season, she faces a narrow climb to the top of the podium. Finishing ahead of Liu is 17-year-old breakout star Ami Nakai (Japan) leads the field with a 78.71 after landing a massive triple Axel in her Olympic debut; and three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto (Japan) in second with 77.23, just 0.64 points ahead of Liu.

RELATED:

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• 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 sescond silver for China

Aksed if she could catch up to the Japanese skaters, Liu told NBC: “Whether I beat them or not is not my goal. My goal is just to do my programs and share my story. And I don't need to, I guess, be over or under anyone to do that.”

Since her return from a brief retirement, the reigning world champion Liu has been praised for her "creative expression," moving away from traditional scores toward more contemporary, edgy music like her current short program.

Liu is the lone "Blade Angel" in the top five. Teammates Isabeau Levito and Amber Glenn finished in eighth and 13th place, respectively, after US champion Glenn suffered a costly error on her triple loop.

The women’s individual competition concludes with the free skate final on Thursday, February 19, where Liu will look to become the first American woman to win an individual Olympic medal in 20 years.

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. 

2026 Olympics: San Francisco's Eileen Gu wins her second silver

Eileen Gu's third run was enough to come from behind silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympcs.

China's Eileen Gu won the silver medal in the women’s freestyle skiing big air final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics today, February 16, 2026.

Despite being defending champion, the American-born Gu was narrowly outscored by Canada’s Megan Oldham, who took the gold. Italy's Flora Tabanelli earned the bronze medal.

The final in Livigno was delayed by over an hour due to heavy snow and high winds. Gu started with a strong first run almost assuring a spot onthe medal podium. However a shaky second run forced Gu to focus on her third run to get a medal.
Under immense pressure, she landed a spectacular left-side double cork 1260, earning an 89.00 and securing the silver with a total score of 179.00.

Canada's Megan Oldham took the gold medal and Italy's Flora Tabanelli earned the bronze medal.

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• 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

Gu's second silver medal of the 2026 Games makes her the most decorated female freestyle skier in Olympic history with five career medals. In 2022 Gu won two gold and a silver. Those were added to the silver she won won Monday in the big air event and the silver she won last week in slopestyle.

She has a chance to add another medal. The 22-year old Gu will attempt to defend her final title in the women's halfpipe, with qualifying scheduled for Thursday, February 19 and the final on Saturday, February 21.

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. 

2026 Olympics: Skater Alyssa Liu and skier Eileen Gu divide the Chinese American community

Two Chinese American daughters of the San Francisco Bay Area are in the Olympics: Eileen Gu, left, competes for the Peoples Republic of China and the United States' Alysa Liu.

In the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area—a place where identity is as layered as the fog rolling over the Golden Gate—two young women were born into a world of complex heritage and shifting loyalties. As the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics unfold, Alysa Liu and Eileen Gu have become the mirror images of a community’s deepest fractures.

The two young women are roughly the same age, both products of elite Northern California environments, and both balancing the rigors of American higher education. Yet, on the world’s biggest stage, their paths have diverged in ways that put Chinese Americans in a quandary: Who do we claim as our own?

On one hand, Alysa Liu  represents the United States. Born in Clovis, Calif. and raised in the East Bay, she was homeschooled in her high school years and attends the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Liu is the daughter of a political refugee who fled China following the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Her story is the classic American immigrant arc—one of seeking freedom and finding gold. 

On February 8, she helped lead Team USA to a gold medal in the figure skating team event, a triumphant return after a two-year break from the sport.

RELATED:

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• 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

On the other hand, Eileen Gu competes for the People's Republic of China. A San Francisco native, she attended a private high school and attends Stanford University, the same school attended by her Chinese-born mother, reportedly a venture capitalist. Gu spent summers in Beijing and speaks fluent Mandarin with a local accent. In 2019, she made the controversial choice to represent China, citing a desire to inspire young girls in her mother's homeland. 

On February 9, she secured a silver medal in the freestyle skiing slopestyle final for China, missing gold by a mere 0.38 points.

Gu is reportedly the richest athlete competing in the Winter Games. Newsweek reports her net worth at $50 million,the majority gained through modeling and endorsements, not prize money.

A community divided by choice

For many in the Chinese American community, these athletes aren't just competitors; they are "opposing archetypes" in a narrative they didn't write. 

In some circles, it is simple, it is The "Patriot" vs. The "Mercenary." Political commentators have been quick to weaponize their choices. Liu is often championed as a symbol of American values, while Gu faces labels of "traitor" or "mercenary" for representing a geopolitical rival while benefiting from American training and sponsorships.

However, in real life, the reality of duality makes the choice more complicated. Despite the backlash, Gu’s famous refrain—“When I’m in the US, I’m American; when I’m in China, I’m Chinese”—strikes a chord with those who live a hyphenated existence. They see her not as a defector, but as someone navigating the "messy middle" of a two-power world.

The comparison between the two has sparked fierce commentary on social media widening the everpresent gap between pro-PRC segments and democracy advocates; Alysa cast as a free spirit and Gu as an ungrateful elitist. 

"All of this frames how the media and the public make sense of Liu and Gu, who have been cast as the good and bad immigrant respectively," Professor Richard King of Columbia College Chicago told the BBC.

View from the edge

Though they represent different flags, their lives share a striking rhythm. Both are navigating the pressures of Gen Z stardom, balancing exams with Olympic podiums, and dealing with the weight of two cultures on their shoulders.

FYI: Alysa Liu is back on the ice for Women's Short Program on February 17. Gu will have the big air final on Monday, followed by the halfpipe qualifiers on Thursday, with the final coming Saturday.

They have never met, yet they share a specialized SF Bay Area upbringing that few others can understand. In a different world— one less dominated by "Great Power Competition"— they might have been friends, two California girls sharing boba and talking smack about their rival schools, discussing the impossible pressure of being everything to everyone. Instead, they remain the two poles of a community searching for its place on the edge of two worlds.

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. 

2026 Olympics: Snowboarder Chloe Kim offers life lessons -- on and off the snow

Chloe Kim rushes to congratulate Gaon Choi, who won the halfpipe gold medal.

History will say that Chloe Kim took home silver at the 2026 Winter Olympics, her quest for a historic halfpipe "three-peat" falling just short of the top podium spot. But Kim won something much more enduring than another piece of hardware. She won by standing in her truth and lifting others as she climbed.

Chloe Kim of the United States didn’t get her Olympic three-peat on Thursday, February 12, but she might have achieved something even more enduring -- a legacy. 

Taking the silver medal with a score of 88.00, Kim proved she’s still "the baddest" in the game, competing just 34 days after a debilitating shoulder labrum tear. But the real story was who stood above her on the podium: 17-year-old Gaon Choi, the South Korean prodigy whom Kim has mentored for nearly a decade.

She’s my baby,” Kim said of Choi. “I’ve known her since she was so little.” They trained together in Mammoth Mountain with Kim often translating for Choi.

“But it’s really cool to see how much she’s progressed,” Kim said. “I met her when she literally started halfpipe snowboarding. Sometimes it feels like I’m seeing a mirror reflection of myself and my family."

When Choi surged ahead with a 90.25 to take the gold, Kim was the first to celebrate, calling it a "full-circle moment," recalling her own debut on the medals podium three Olympics ago.

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Kim's preparation was severely limited by two shoulder dislocations in the four weeks leading up to the Games. She stated after the event that she was "so proud" to have competed and medaled despite the injury.

Beyond the 'model minority' trope

Like her decision to go for broke in her last run, Chloe Kim has refused to play it safe. During a week when political rhetoric in the US turned toward immigration crackdowns, she used her platform to defend teammate Hunter Hess after he was targeted for his views on immigration.

"Obviously, my parents being immigrants, this one definitely hits pretty close to home," Kim said, pointedly adding that "diversity is what makes us a very strong country." In a world that often demands Asian American excellence remain "invisible" and quiet, Kim’s refusal to stay silent is something she encourages her young followers to continue to speak out.

By honoring her roots and mentoring the next generation—including 18-year old Bea Kim, who placed 8th in the halfpipe and 16-year-old newcomer Thai American Lily Dhawornvej, placed 20th in the big air event and is scheduled to compete in her strongest event, slopestyle, Chloe Kim serves as a critical mentor for young Asian American athletes by directly addressing cultural barriers that often discourage  participation in sports or impact the mental well-being of those in professional sports.

An all-Asian podium for the halfpipe competition. From left, Chloe Kim (US), Gaon Choi
(South Korea) and Mitsuki Ono (Japan) took the bronze medal.

Kim has been remarkably transparent about her "darkest spaces" and her need for intensive therapy following the 2022 Olympics. Mental health is often a taboo subject in Asian American communities due to cultural shame or the "collectivist" desire to hide symptoms from family and larger society.

In late 2025, she joined the "Love, Your Mind" Campaign, a major public service initiative to encourage young people to prioritize mental well-being. By normalizing these struggles, she helps the younger Asian athletes understand that mental health is a foundational part of athletic longevity.

Breaking stereotypes

Because of her success snowboarding she has busts the stereotype that casts Asian Americans as unathletic, encouraging the younger athletes that its OK to be pursue interests beyond the classroom.

Her dominant aathletic career and grit — competing in 2026 through a dislocated shoulder — shatters racist tropes that depict Asian bodies as "fragile" or unathletic.

Kim has used her platform at the 2026 Olympics to call for unity among athletes facing political or racial scrutiny, showing younger peers that they have a right to voice their opinions and do not need to remain "invisible" or "silent." 

Kim's statement on Choi's gold medal: "It's all about inspiring the next generation. It's all about passing the torch. There's no one else I would have rather stood next to on the podium than her. I'm so proud of her, and I'm so excited to see what she does next ... it was so inspirational."

Chloe Kim teaches that a win or loss does not define a person’s value. She teaches that true success is being content with who you are, rather than just what you achieve. She warns against tying your entire identity and self-worth to results. That lesson is more valuable than any medal.

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. 

2026 Olympics: 'Snow Princess' starts her medal quest with silver

Eileen Gu wins a silver at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.

Eileen Gu's quest to sweep gold at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics hit a familiar Swiss-made snag Monday, as the San Francisco-born superstar took home the silver medal in the women’s freeski slopestyle.

Despite laying down a run she called the "best of her career," Gu was narrowly edged out by Switzerland’s Mathilde Gremaud, mirroring the podium finish from four years ago in Beijing.

A familiar rivalry

Competing for China, Gu opened the finals at Livigno Snow Park with a blistering 86.58 score. It was a statement run that featured back-to-back double corks and a custom-designed "dragon" ski suit meant to channel strength. 

However, Gremaud—who has become Gu’s primary foil in this discipline—answered with an 86.96, a razor-thin margin of just 0.38 points.

“I really did overcome so much to get here,” Gu told Olympics.com. “The last four years have been challenging, to say the least. I've dealt with a number of injuries. A year ago, I had the worst concussion I've ever experienced. I had seizures afterwards. There were people concerned (whether) I'm going to wake up.

“So being able to compete and really showcase my best skiing -- that was my best slopestyle run that I’ve ever done, and I know that was Mathilde's best slopestyle that she has ever done as well -- to participate in pushing the sport at the level that it's at, is the highest honor for me.”

Gu’s attempts to reclaim the lead were hampered by falls in her subsequent runs, including a slip on the top rail section that echoed a scare she survived during the qualification round.

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The 22-year-old made history at the 2022 Beijing Games when she became the first athlete to win three freestyle skiing medals at a single Olympics. Four years ago, she took gold in big air and halfpipe and silver in slopestyle.

Chinese media dubbed the 22-year-old "Snow Princess." 

Questions about Gu's nationality arose again Monday during competition, with many wondering why the US-born athlete chose to compete for Team China even though she was a sure bet to make the US team in 2022. She admits that she has received plenty of hate on social media because of her decision. 

“In the US, growing up, I had so many amazing idols to look up to,” she told The AP during the last Olympics. “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 that decision.”

What’s next

Gu isn't done yet. She remains the heavy favorite in her two strongest disciplines where she is the reigning Olympic champion:

• Big Air: Qualifiers begin Saturday, Feb. 14, with the finals scheduled for Monday, Feb. 16.

• Halfpipe: Her signature event kicks off with qualifying on Thursday, Feb. 19, and the gold medal final on Saturday, Feb. 21.

For the Asian American community watching from back home in the Bay Area, Gu remains a figure of intense fascination as she defies stereotypes -- a Stanford student majoring in quantum physics and global fashion icon who continues to navigate the complex "box" of dual identity while dominating on the world's biggest stage.

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.