Eileen Gu is reacting to Vice President JD Vance‘s criticism of her.
For those who didn’t know, the 22-year-old skier was born and raised in San Francisco, Calif, however is representing China – the place her mom is from – on the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Vance criticized Eileenwho’s probably the most embellished feminine freestyle skier in Olympic historical past, for her choice to characterize China internationally, telling Fox Information that he’s solely rooting for “American athletes.”
Maintain studying to seek out out extra…“I definitely suppose that someone who grew up within the United Sates of America, who benefited from our schooling system, from the freedoms and liberties that make this nation a terrific place, I might hope they need to compete with america of America,” Vance mentioned. “So, I’m going to root for American athletes, and I believe a part of that’s individuals who establish themselves as Individuals. That’s who I’m rooting for this Olympics.”
Following Vance‘s feedback, Eileen responded, telling USA In the present day“I’m flattered. Thanks, JD! That’s candy,” including that she feels “like a little bit of a punching bag for a sure strand of American politics for the time being.”
“So many athletes compete for a distinct nation… individuals solely have an issue with me doing it as a result of they sort of lump China into this monolithic entity, they usually simply hate China,” the athlete continued. “So it’s not likely about what they suppose it’s about.”
Eileen added, “And likewise, as a result of I win. Like if I wasn’t doing effectively, I believe that they most likely wouldn’t care as a lot, and that’s OK for me.”
For those who didn’t know, Eileen first opted to characterize China previous to competing on the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
In one other new interview, Eileen defined why she determined to compete with Staff China as an alternative of Staff USA on the Olympics.
“Within the U.S. rising up, I had so many idols to look as much as,” Eileen informed The Athletic. “However in China, I really feel like there are loads fewer of these. I’d have a a lot larger impression in China than within the U.S., and that’s finally why I made my choice.”
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