Eileen Gu Hits Back After VP JD Vance's Remarks on China Representation

Olympic skier Eileen Gu responded to Vice President JD Vance's criticism for representing China at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Gu, 22, feels targeted by a certain strand of American politics and believes people dislike her choice because they have negative views towards China.

Gu, a five-time Olympic medalist, is the most accomplished female freestyle skier in Olympic history. Born in San Francisco, she chose to compete for China, her mother's home country, at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Gu explained her decision was to inspire young people in China where her mother is from.

Eileen Gu, who speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese, expressed that she could have a greater impact in China than in the U.S., which influenced her decision to represent China internationally. Vice President Vance criticized her decision, stating he only supports American athletes and hopes they choose to represent the United States.

Vance advised Team USA athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics to unite the country and remember they represent both Democrats and Republicans. President Donald Trump also criticized a U.S. Olympic skier, Hunter Hess, for his comments about representing the country during political turmoil.