Eileen Gu says she feels like ‘punching bag’ amid criticism for competing for China
Eileen Gu said she feels like a “punching bag” amid global criticism over her decision to compete for China at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, according to USA Today.
The American-born freestyle skier has drawn scrutiny for representing China. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, said on Fox News’ “The Story With Martha MacCallum” that he hopes athletes who grew up in the United States would “want to compete with the United States of America.”
Gu has previously said she was “physically assaulted” over her decision to represent China and that “the police were called. I’ve had death threats. I’ve had my dorm robbed,” she told The Athletic.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Gu and fellow American-born athlete Zhu Yi were paid a combined $6.6 million by the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau in 2025 for efforts to qualify for the 2026 Games, and nearly $14 million over the past three years. Gu has won silver medals in her first two events at the Milan-Cortina Games, according to official Olympic results, and is scheduled to compete in the women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe final.
Source: Original Article
