AP
APTOPIX Milan Cortina Olympics Freestyle Skiing
Gold medalist China's Eileen Gu celebrates winning the women's freestyle skiing halfpipe final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.
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Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu have turned the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics into a debate about identity and loyalty for Chinese Americans. Both athletes grew up in California with Chinese roots and single parents. Gu competes for China. Liu competes for the United States. In China, many fans celebrate Gu as a symbol of China’s rise and its pull on global talent. Others question Gu's citizenship. Liu draws praise in China as a “free spirit.” In the U.S., some politicians attack Gu’s choice. One U.S. lawmaker even proposes punishing athletes who represent China.
