Olympian Eileen Gu’s decision to compete for her mother’s homeland sparked intense hate, but a USA gold medalist just stepped in to shut everyone up

Olympian Alysa Liu recently stepped up to defend fellow athlete Eileen Gu, who has faced significant criticism for her decision to represent China in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Liu, a gold medalist herself, finds the backlash against Gu “hypocritical,” especially given the circumstances.

Gu was born in the U.S., but ultimately chose to compete for China, her mother’s native country in the Games. This decision sparked a firestorm of controversy, with many calling her a “traitor.” She’s explained her reasoning numerous times, emphasizing her desire to provide more representation for her heritage. The criticism has persisted from social media, fellow athletes, and even Vice President JD Vance.

Liu, is the daughter of a Chinese immigrant who came to the U.S. in 1989. According to People, she put things into perspective during a recent interview, pointing out the double standard she sees. Liu mentioned she’s aware people view her as an American “hero” while Gu faces such harsh judgment. “I’ve known Eileen since I was 13 or something. We’re from the Bay Area, she’s super nice, and her mom is from China,” the ice skater shared.

Liu basically called out the double standard everyone’s ignoring

Liu didn’t hold back, continuing, “I think people are hypocritical for shaming her for representing China. So in my head it’s a bit hypocritical, because her mom is an immigrant. Y’all would have told her to go back to China. Now that they’re back in China, you’re mad.” It’s a pretty compelling point, highlighting the inconsistent expectations some people place on athletes with dual heritage. She definitely makes you think about the underlying biases.

Liu passionately argued that “it’s sport. It doesn’t matter what country we represent. Sport is sport, and she has a love for competition, she has love for the game. I think that’s all that matters. There’s no shame in going where the opportunity is.” The Olympian, who recently was chased to her car by fans at the airport, made it clear that the focus should remain on competition rather than politics.

Gu, whose grandmother passed away shortly after the Winter Olympics in Italy, certainly ruffled some feathers throughout the 2026 Games. Beyond the backlash for her choice of representation, she also made headlines for her sharp response during a press conference. A reporter asked if she viewed her 2026 finishes as “two silvers gained or two golds lost,” which, honestly, feels like a pretty loaded question to ask an Olympian.

Gu delivered a fantastic clap back, saying, “I’m the most decorated female freeskier in history. I think that’s an answer in and of itself. How do I say this? Winning a medal at the Olympics is a life-changing experience for every athlete. Doing it five times is exponentially harder. The two medals lost situation, to be quite frank with you, I think is kind of a ridiculous perspective to take. I’m showcasing my best skiing. I’m doing things that quite literally have never been done before, so I think that is more than good enough, but thank you.”