A U.S.-born Olympic skier who abandoned her country to represent communist China has publicly dismissed concerns about the Uyghur genocide, declaring human rights abuses “not my business” while collecting millions from Beijing.
American-Born Athlete Defends Communist Regime
Eileen Gu, born and raised in San Francisco, sparked outrage by dismissing U.S. government findings on China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. When pressed about allegations of genocide during a TIME interview, Gu stated, “I’m not an expert on this. I haven’t done the research.” Her refusal to acknowledge documented human rights abuses reflects a troubling prioritization of personal gain over fundamental American values of freedom and human dignity. This stance contradicts the principles that made her success possible in the first place.
The 23-year-old freestyle skier announced her decision to compete for China in June 2019, abandoning the country that provided her with world-class training facilities, educational opportunities, and the freedoms she now takes for granted. Her switch came as U.S.-China tensions escalated over Beijing’s crackdown on religious minorities. Gu justified her decision by claiming she wanted to inspire Chinese youth, yet she refuses to use her platform to advocate for those suffering under authoritarian oppression. This selective activism reveals the hollowness of her stated motivations.
Financial Ties and Citizenship Questions Raise Concerns
Documents exposed in 2025 revealed Beijing funneled $6.64 million in government funds to support Gu’s training, money that came from a regime accused of systematic human rights violations. Chinese censors quickly scrubbed these financial disclosures from the internet, raising questions about what else the Chinese Communist Party wants hidden. China’s strict prohibition on dual citizenship means Gu likely renounced her U.S. citizenship to compete, yet she consistently dodges questions about her legal status. This lack of transparency undermines trust and suggests she wants to maintain access to American opportunities while serving Chinese interests.
Gu’s decision represents more than athletic competition; it symbolizes choosing authoritarian power over the constitutional freedoms that enabled her achievements. American commentators like Tucker Carlson appropriately called her “ungrateful” for turning her back on the nation that gave her everything. Meanwhile, even Chinese nationalists have attacked her as an “opportunistic outsider,” recognizing her allegiance stems from financial incentive rather than genuine loyalty. Her treatment from both sides demonstrates the consequences of abandoning principle for profit.
Olympic Schedule Complaints Reveal Entitlement
At the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Gu qualified for the big air final on February 14 after winning slopestyle silver, but immediately complained about scheduling conflicts affecting her halfpipe preparation. She criticized the International Ski Federation for “punishing excellence” because multi-event athletes face training limitations between competitions. Her entitlement ignores that the FIS applies rules uniformly to maintain fairness for all competitors. Gu hasn’t competed in halfpipe since December 2025 or big air since her 2022 gold medal, making her scheduling grievances less sympathetic given her extended breaks between competitions.
‘Not My Business’: U.S.-Born Skier Eileen Gu Competing for China Is a ‘Skeptic’ of Uyghur Genocide Claims https://t.co/QoiYNAEtQd
— The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) February 18, 2026
The skier’s complaints about “unfairness” ring hollow coming from someone who benefited from millions in Chinese government support unavailable to athletes from democratic nations. FIS spokesman Bruno Sassi defended the organization’s efforts, noting multi-event scheduling conflicts are “inevitable” when athletes choose to compete across multiple disciplines. Gu’s public criticism of Olympic organizers while representing an authoritarian regime that silences dissent demonstrates a stunning lack of self-awareness about actual unfairness and oppression.
Broader Implications for American Values
Gu’s case highlights growing concerns about Americans who leverage their citizenship for personal advancement before abandoning their country for financial gain from foreign adversaries. Her success helped China’s propaganda machine promote winter sports participation, with 313 million Chinese citizens taking up winter activities following her 2022 Beijing Olympics performance. This athletic diplomacy serves Beijing’s soft power objectives while undermining American interests. Patriots recognize that true excellence includes moral courage to speak against injustice, something Gu conspicuously lacks when it conflicts with her endorsement deals and medal pursuits.
The controversy surrounding this athlete extends beyond sports into fundamental questions about loyalty, values, and the responsibilities that come with American freedoms. Her dismissal of genocide concerns as “not my business” while profiting from the perpetrating regime deserves condemnation from anyone who values human rights and constitutional principles. As tensions between democratic nations and authoritarian powers intensify, Americans must recognize the difference between legitimate international competition and actively promoting regimes that oppose everything the United States represents. Gu’s choices serve as a cautionary tale about sacrificing integrity for gold medals and corporate sponsorships.
Sources:
Fox News – Controversial Olympian Eileen Gu Upset Over ‘Really Unfair’ Winter Games Schedule
TIME – How Eileen Gu Became the Olympics’ Star Freestyle Skier
AOL – Eileen Gu Olympic Practice Schedule