Eileen Gu Explains Skiing for China, Not USA

Eileen Gu, the American-born Olympic skier who represented China, recently served as grand marshal for a Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco. The three-time gold medalist stated her primary goal is to achieve the greatest positive impact on the global stage, currently focusing on sport, fashion, and education.

Gu addressed criticism for not competing for the U.S., her birth country. She shared on Instagram that her decision was driven by a desire to uplift others through sport and introduce freeskiing to a wider audience, particularly in China, where the industry was developing.

She expressed gratitude for her season with the U.S. team and maintained close relationships with them. Gu, now 22, reflected that her choice has led to more girls participating in skiing worldwide, fulfilling a dream of making a significant impact.

Gu acknowledged that some people do not understand her choice but maintained that competing for China maximized her influence. She believes her actions have inspired millions of girls to take up skiing and to believe in their place in the sport.