One of the biggest names in American skiing is one of constant conversation as they do not actually represent the US on the Olympic stage.
Born and raised in San Francisco, 22-year-old freestyle skiing sensation Eileen Gu is a double-Olympic champion — for China.
Why does Eileen Gu represent China?
Gu’s citizenship has been a contentious talking point due to her being born and living on the West Coast of America but choosing to represent China — where her mother is from — at the Olympics.
Her reasoning behind this is that she wants to help make her sport more mainstream in China and that the US “already has the representation,» she told Time Magazine.
Gu announced the decision via Instagram in 2019 and it wasn’t too long before detractors gave their thoughts on the situation, with Fox News’ Tucker Carlson labelling the then 15-year-old “dumb”.
Eileen Gu at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Four years ago, in 2022, Gu made history after becoming the first action-sports athlete to win three medals at one Olympics — gold in halfpipe and big air and a silver in slopestyle.
Gu is also the all-time leader in free-skiing World Cup wins and will be hoping to — and is expected to — rack up a number of medals again in Milan in February.
Eileen Gu of China competes in the Women's Ski SuperPipe final on day 2 of the X Games Aspen (Getty Images)
Eileen Gu of China competes in the Women’s Ski SuperPipe final on day 2 of the X Games Aspen (Getty Images)
When does Eileen Gu compete?
Gu will be participating in the women’s slopestyle, big air and halfpipe in Milan. These events run for the majority of the Winter Olympics, from February 7 to February 21.
Winter Olympics key dates
February 4: Competition begins (curling)
February 6: Opening ceremony
February 7: First gold medal events
February 8: Gold medal, women’s Alpine skiing downhill
February 13: Gold medal, men’s figure skating
February 18: Gold medal, women’s Alpine skiing slalom
February 19: Gold medal, women’s figure skating. Gold medal game, women’s ice hockey. First gold medals in ski mountaineering, a new Olympic sport
February 22: Gold medal game, men’s ice hockey. Closing ceremony