Dual Loyalties: The Clash of Chinese-American Olympians at the Winter Games

Sat Feb 14 2026 22:26:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the Winter Olympics in Milan unfold, two Chinese-American athletes, Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu, become the center of a heated debate over national identity and allegiance amidst the backdrop of US-China relations.

Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu, both Chinese-American athletes competing in the Winter Olympics, symbolize contrasting narratives in a politically charged atmosphere. Gu, representing China, is seen as a trailblazer by some, while others view her as a traitor. Conversely, Liu, competing for the US, gains admiration for her stance against the Chinese government, especially given her family's history. This article delves into the complexities of their identities and the geopolitical tensions influencing public perception.

An unusual battle is unfolding over the Winter Olympics in Milan - not on the slopes or in the rinks, but on the internet.

At its heart are Eileen Gu, a freestyle skier, and Alysa Liu, a figure-skater. They have a lot in common: both are young women of American-Chinese heritage who were born and raised in the US. And they are champions in their field.

And yet, one is being hailed a trailblazer, while the other is deemed a traitor. At least that's the case in the eyes of some in the US. On Chinese social media, it's the other way around.

Why? Liu, the daughter of a political activist who fled China after a deadly crackdown, is competing under the US flag. And Gu, whose mother moved to the US for higher education, often spent her childhood summers visiting Beijing. She is representing China in Milan.

That seems to rankle with some Americans. Eileen Gu competes for China and gets paid millions to do it. Alysa Liu is the daughter of a Chinese immigrant who participated in the Tiananmen Square protests. In a world of Eileen Gus, be an Alysa Liu, said one post on X.

Much of this backlash appears to be driven by political commentators and a vocal minority on X, rather than the broader public or the sporting world. The underlying current is the competition between the US and China - the world's two biggest economies are constantly vying for an edge in everything, from trade to tech.

And so, a narrow yet vociferous slice of the internet is pitting two women against each other, questioning their loyalty and identity while interrogating their immigrant experiences - and adding to the pressure they already face as sporting figures.

The 'snow princess' and the 'patriot'

Known in China by her nickname Snow Princess, Eileen Gu was born in California to a Chinese mother and American father. Her parents separated when she was young and she was raised by her mother Yan Gu - reportedly a successful venture capitalist with degrees from Peking University and Stanford.

Gu grew up with a foot firmly in both worlds, spending her summers in Beijing and the rest of her term at a private school in San Francisco.

She began freeskiing at the age of three in the Lake Tahoe region and joined the Northstar California Resort freeskiing team at the age of eight. She won her first national championship just a year later.

She initially skied for the US before switching to Team China in 2019 in preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics, which took place in the Chinese capital Beijing. Gu said she wanted to inspire millions of young people in Beijing - my mother's birthplace. The decision earned her the praise of many in China. She went on to win two golds and one silver in the 2022 Olympics.

In the years since, Gu has established herself as a veritable sports icon in China. Millions on Chinese on social media follow her every move, leaving heart-shaped emojis under her posts. Chinese state media outlet the Global Times called her an idol for the whole world. She is also one of the highest-earning female athletes in the world, reportedly earning around $23m (£16.9m) a year.

Her decision to join Team China initially brought with it a considerable amount of backlash. Beyond the rivalry with the US, people also took issue with China's authoritarian Communist Party rulers, their poor record on human rights and the lack of free speech in the country. But the outrage died down for the most part - until now.

The episode exposes the precarious social and political landscape that Asian Americans have to navigate. When prominent Asian Americans attempted to defend Gu, with Marvel actor Simu Liu posting that he was freaking proud of Gu, calling her inspirational, resilient, intelligent and well spoken in two languages - he too faced an immediate wave of backlash, with comments demanding he go back to China.

As the Games continue in Milan, the sport itself seems to have become an afterthought in discussions of both athletes. Despite both athletes sharing similar racial backgrounds and first-generation immigrant experiences, they have been cast as opposing archetypes in a narrative they didn't write.