Alysa Liu Slams Critics of Eileen Gu as ‘Hypocritical’ in Olympic Controversy
Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu has stepped up to defend fellow athlete Eileen Gu, who has faced criticism for her choice to represent China during the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
“I’ve known Eileen since I was 13. We’re both from the Bay Area. She’s incredibly nice, and her mother is Chinese,” Liu, 20, stated in an interview on March 6. “People are being hypocritical for shaming her for representing China. It’s a bit ironic because her mom is an immigrant. If she had chosen to stay in the U.S., people would have told her to go back to China. Now that she’s back there, they’re upset.”
Continuing her defense, Liu emphasized, “It’s about sport; it doesn’t matter what country we represent. What matters is the love for competition and the game itself. There’s no shame in pursuing opportunities wherever they may be.”
Eileen Gu, 22, sparked debate after announcing her decision to compete for China, despite being born in San Francisco.
Both athletes hail from California and share a heritage of Chinese and American parents.
Gu made headlines when she chose to represent China—her mother Yan Gu’s homeland—prior to the 2022 Winter Olympics held in Beijing.
The controversy intensified when U.S. Vice President JD Vance publicly criticized Gu’s decision.
“I believe someone who grew up in the United States and benefited from our education system should want to compete for the U.S.,” Vance remarked during a Fox News interview on February 17. “I’m rooting for American athletes, particularly those who identify as Americans.”
In response to Vance’s comments, Gu expressed her gratitude, saying, “I’m flattered. Thanks, JD! That’s sweet. Many athletes compete for different countries… People only have an issue with me because they lump China into a single entity and harbor negative feelings towards it. It’s not really about what they claim it is.”
Gu further noted, “And let’s be honest, if I weren’t winning, I doubt they’d care as much, and that’s fine with me.”
Having made history as the most decorated female freestyle skier in Olympic history with three medals at the 2026 Games, Gu is fluent in Mandarin and has spent numerous summers in Beijing.
