Olympian Eileen Gu responds to JD Vance’s comments suggesting she should represent U.S.
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Five-time Olympic medalist Eileen Gu, born in the U.S. but representing China, responded to JD Vance's suggestion that she should compete for the United States, calling his comments "flattering" and acknowledging differing opinions on her choice.
- Gu is the most decorated female freestyle skier in Olympic history, with multiple gold and silver medals from the 2022 Beijing and 2026 Italy Winter Olympics.
- JD Vance expressed on Fox News that athletes who grew up in the U.S. and benefited from its freedoms should ideally compete for the country, though he deferred the decision on Gu's status to the Olympic committee.
- Gu highlighted that criticism of her representing China is influenced by negative perceptions of the country and her
