Eileen Gu fires back at JD Vance in 2026 Winter Olympics freestyle skiing row

Freestyle skiing star Eileen Gu has pushed back after US Vice-President JD Vance appeared to criticise her decision to represent China at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The 22-year-old, born in San Francisco to an American father and Chinese mother, responded after her qualifying run in Milan, dismissing the remarks with humour.

“I’m flattered. Thanks, JD! That’s sweet,” Gu said when asked about the comments.

Vance had suggested in a Fox News interview that athletes who grow up in the United States should represent the country internationally.

“I certainly think that somebody who grew up in the United States of America… I would hope that they want to compete with the United States of America,” he said, adding that the decision ultimately rests with Olympic authorities.

Gu switched to compete for China in 2019, a move that has repeatedly drawn political scrutiny. She said the criticism often reflects broader tensions rather than her personal choices.

“So many athletes compete for a different country,” she said. “People only have a problem with me doing it because they kind of lump China into this monolithic entity.”

She added that her success may also be fuelling the scrutiny.

“And also, because I win. Like if I wasn’t doing well, I think that they probably wouldn’t care as much.”

With five Olympic medals, Gu is the most decorated female freeski athlete in Olympic history. She won two gold medals and a silver at the Beijing 2022 Games and has already claimed two silvers at Milano Cortina, with the halfpipe final still to come.

The citizenship debate has followed Gu for years. She has declined to publicly clarify her passport status, while China does not allow dual citizenship.

The Olympic charter permits athletes with dual nationality to represent either country.

Despite the political noise, Gu says her focus remains on sport and inspiring young athletes.

“I do what I do because I want to inspire the next generation of young women,” she said, adding that she hopes critics embrace the Olympic spirit of unity.