Eileen Gu Claps Back at VP JD Vance's Remarks on Her Olympic Choice
Olympic skier Eileen Gu has a direct message for the Vice President of the United States. “I’m flattered. Thanks, JD! That’s sweet,” Gu, 22, remarked in an interview with USA Today on February 19, following Vance's criticism of her decision to represent China at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. She expressed feeling like “a bit of a punching bag for a certain strand of American politics at the moment.”
“So many athletes compete for a different country… people only have a problem with me doing it because they kind of lump China into this monolithic entity, and they just hate China,” she elaborated. “So it’s not really about what they think it’s about.” The athlete, who has made history as the most decorated female freestyle skier in Olympic history, was born in San Francisco but chose to represent China—her mother’s homeland—before competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Gu stated, “I have decided to compete for China in the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics. This was an incredibly tough decision for me to make. I am extremely thankful for U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the Chinese Ski Association for having the vision and belief in me to make my dreams come true.” She emphasized her pride in both her heritage and her American upbringing, viewing the opportunity to inspire young people in China as a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Earlier this week, Gu shared insights with The Athletic about her choice to represent China over the U.S. “In the U.S. growing up, I had so many idols to look up to,” she reflected. “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.”
Vance, 41, voiced his disapproval of Gu's choice, stating during an interview on February 17 that he only supports “American athletes.” He remarked, “I certainly think that somebody who grew up in the United States of America, who benefited from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that make this country a great place, I would hope they want to compete with the United States of America.” His comments reflect a broader sentiment among some political figures regarding athletes who choose to represent other nations.
In a related context, former President Donald Trump has also criticized Team USA athletes for their outspoken views. On February 8, he took to social media to comment on U.S. Olympic skier Hunter Hess, who expressed difficulty representing the U.S. amid current political turmoil. Trump stated, “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
As the conversation around national representation continues to evolve, Gu remains steadfast in her commitment to her choice and the impact she hopes to make through her participation in the Olympics.
