Eileen Gu has been competing for China since 2019 after representing Team USA during the 2018-19 season. Gu is bidding to defend the big air title on Feb. 16, after repeating her slopestyle silver medal-winning feat some days ago.
Gu is also the only female skier entered in all three freestyle skiing disciplines, not only to add more medals to her already decorated resume, but also to step out of the ordinary and show what’s achievable.
Why Does Eileen Gu Compete for China Despite Being USA-Born?
Gu requested a change of nationality to the International Ski Federation and started competing for China in June 2019. But her shift became controversial and continues to be at the center of backlash. When she made the decision, the Chinese Consulate General in New York stated that the 22-year-old would have to gain permanent residency or be naturalized to represent the Chinese team.
In 2020, the Chinese Ministry of Justice released draft regulations to extend eligibility for permanent residency to athletes like Gu and to individuals recognized in sports, culture, technology, and other major fields.
The three-time X Games champion, Gu, has often spoken about embracing both American and Chinese cultures. Born to a Chinese mother, Yan Gu, and an American father, the skier continues to carry the responsibility of honoring both countries. But why does she compete for China at the global level?
In an interview with the Associated Press during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the Olympic gold medalist clarified her motivation: she wanted to be an icon in China whom people could look up to with pride. In the United States, where she grew up, several people are making an impact, but far fewer in China, which is why she decided to stay.
READ MORE: ‘That Feels Really Powerful to Me’ Eileen Gu Committed to Inspiring the Next Generation of Skiers
As per Time, the magazine that featured Gu on its cover for the second time in February 2026, released Gu’s statement, which said:
“The U.S. already has the representation. I like building my own pond.”
The two-time World champion will compete in the halfpipe event on Feb. 21, 2026. However, things have not been going according to plan, as her halfpipe training time will be reduced because the women’s big air event clashes with the practice schedule. Disappointed about the same, the 22-year-old even reached out to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, and later let her feelings known, saying:
“I think being able to do something that’s beyond the ordinary should be celebrated instead of punished.”
Gu, the athlete with the highest net worth at the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, works relentlessly to bring more young girls into the sport, especially in her home country, China.
