Eileen Gu Pushes Back After Vance Remarks
Olympic freeskier Eileen Gu, a five-time medalist, pushed back after Vice President J.D. Vance said U.S.-born athletes who benefited from America should compete for the United States.
Overview
Eileen Gu responded to Vice President J.D. Vance's comments by saying "Flattered. Thanks, JD!" and that she feels like a "punching bag."
In a Fox News interview on Tuesday, Vance said he hoped U.S.-born athletes who benefited from the American education system and freedoms would compete for the United States.
Gu said critics single her out because they "lump China into this monolithic entity" and because she wins, and she has defended other athletes caught in similar criticism.
Gu, 22, is the most decorated female freeskier in Olympic history with five medals: two golds and a silver at Beijing 2022 and two silvers at Milano Cortina 2026, with one event left.
She is a favorite to medal again in the halfpipe final set for Saturday.
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Sources (6)
FAQ
Eileen Gu, born in the U.S. Bay Area, obtained Chinese citizenship and chose to represent China, though specific personal reasons are not detailed in the article; she has received significant financial support from Beijing's sports bureau.
In a Fox News interview, Vance stated that he hopes U.S.-born athletes who benefited from America's education system and freedoms would want to compete for the United States.
Gu responded sarcastically, saying 'Flattered. Thanks, JD! That's sweet,' and expressed feeling like a 'punching bag' due to criticism.
Gu is the most decorated female freeskier in Olympic history with five medals: two golds and one silver at Beijing 2022, and two silvers at Milano Cortina 2026, with the halfpipe final upcoming.
Gu has reported being physically assaulted, receiving death threats, having police called, and her dorm robbed as a result of backlash for representing China.
History
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