Eileen Gu: A Dual Identity and Olympic Triumph

Since Eileen Gu made the pivotal decision to compete under the Chinese flag, rather than the United States where she was born, her citizenship has been a constant source of scrutiny and debate. Born in San Francisco, Gu explained her 2019 decision to switch allegiance was driven by a desire to “inspire” young people in her mother’s homeland at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. And inspire she did, securing two gold medals and a silver in freestyle skiing, becoming a national hero in China.

From Slopes to Sponsorships: A Rising Star’s Financial Success

Gu’s success extends far beyond the Olympic podium. She’s rapidly become a marketing powerhouse, amassing a fortune primarily through endorsements rather than prize money. In 2025, she ranked as the fourth-highest earning female athlete globally, raking in over $23 million. According to Sportico, a staggering $22.98 million of that income came from lucrative endorsement deals.

Financial Incentives and Olympic Ambitions

Now, back at the Olympics representing China, reports suggest Gu continues to be generously compensated for her participation. The Wall Street Journal revealed that Gu, alongside fellow American-born figure skater Zhu Yi (who now competes for China), received a combined $6.6 million from the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau in 2025, specifically for “striving for excellent results” in qualifying for the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics. Over the past three years, the two athletes reportedly received nearly $14 million in total. These payments were initially made public through the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau’s online budget, but the athletes’ names were subsequently removed from the public report.

Navigating the Weight of Expectations

Gu has already secured a silver medal in slopestyle at the current Games in Italy. Zhu, originally Beverly Zhu from Los Angeles, is not competing in the 2026 Games. The pressure of representing two nations is not lost on Gu. “Sometimes it feels like I’m carrying the weight of two countries on my shoulders,” she shared after her slopestyle silver win. “Just being able to ski through all of that, you know. To still show my best and still be so deeply in love with the sport. That’s really what I care about and I’m so happy to represent that today.”

The Citizenship Question Remains

The question of Eileen Gu’s citizenship continues to be complex. China does not permit dual citizenship, implying that Gu likely relinquished her U.S. passport to compete for China. This adds another layer to the ongoing discussion surrounding her decision and the implications for international sports.

Gu will continue her Olympic journey with competitions in women’s halfpipe and big air, carrying the hopes of both nations on her shoulders.

Learn more about the Olympics: Official Olympics Website