By admin 
American-born Team China freestyle skier Eileen Gu has offered a congratulatory message to Team USA figure skater Alysa Liu following her monumental gold medal victory in the women’s free skate final on Thursday at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Liu’s triumph marks a significant achievement, making her the first American woman to secure an individual Olympic medal in figure skating in two decades and the first to capture Olympic gold in the discipline in 24 years.
Liu, visibly emotional and elated, took to Instagram to share her joy, posting a photo of herself holding both her individual gold medal and the team gold medal. Her caption, "These are for y’all," resonated with a sense of gratitude and shared victory, acknowledging the support system that propelled her to this historic moment. This emotional declaration comes after a career marked by resilience and a dedication to representing the United States on the world stage.
The narrative surrounding Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu has been a focal point of this Olympic cycle, with the two Chinese American athletes representing starkly contrasting paths and national allegiances. Both athletes are daughters of immigrants from China who came to the United States, yet their Olympic choices have ignited extensive discussion and comparison on social media and within the broader sports commentary landscape. While Liu has remained steadfast in her commitment to Team USA, embodying a narrative of American loyalty often associated with the children of immigrants, Gu’s decision at the age of 15 to compete for China, despite residing in California, has been a source of considerable debate.
Alysa Liu was raised in Oakland, California, by her father, Arthur Liu, who instilled in her a strong sense of national identity. Similarly, Eileen Gu was raised across the bay in San Francisco by her mother, Yan Gu. The divergence in their Olympic careers became apparent in 2019, a pivotal year that saw China actively pursue foreign-born athletes of Chinese heritage to bolster its competitive edge in major international events, particularly the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. This strategic initiative, aimed at enhancing national prestige through athletic success, targeted promising young athletes like Gu and Liu.
Eileen Gu ultimately opted to represent China, trading her red, white, and blue allegiance for the red and gold of the Chinese national team. This decision followed her participation in her first Freestyle Ski World Cup for the U.S. in January 2019. Just months later, in June of the same year, she formally requested a change of nation with the International Ski Federation (FIS), officially beginning her competitive career for China. This move was met with mixed reactions, particularly given her upbringing and training in the United States.
In contrast, the Liu family remained unwavering in their commitment to the United States. Arthur Liu was reportedly resolute in his decision, expressing no openness to persuasion regarding Alysa competing for China. This steadfast loyalty underscored Liu’s identity as an American athlete, a choice that has been lauded by many as a testament to her upbringing and values.
Both Gu and Liu showcased their talents at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, with Gu competing for China and Liu for the United States. Gu achieved remarkable success, securing two gold medals and one silver in freeskiing events, catapulting her to global stardom upon her return to California. Liu, on the other hand, finished sixth in the women’s singles figure skating competition. Following the Beijing Games, Liu took a brief hiatus from the sport before making a strong comeback in 2024.
In the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Liu has achieved a level of success that has surpassed Gu’s current medal count. Liu’s individual gold medal, coupled with the team gold, solidifies her position as a dominant force in figure skating. Her performance in the individual final was marked by flawless execution, landing all her jumps with evident joy and culminating in a passionate, uninhibited celebration. Her exclamations, including "That’s what I’m f—ing talking about!" and "Holy s—!", captured the raw emotion of her historic achievement. She posted a season-best free skate score of 150.20, contributing to a total score of 226.79, and a short program score of 76.59. This remarkable performance has reignited discussions about what might have been had Gu chosen to represent the U.S. in figure skating.
Eileen Gu, meanwhile, has secured two silver medals so far in Italy. Her Olympic journey in Milan Cortina has been accompanied by intense scrutiny and pressure, a consequence of her decision to compete for China seven years ago. A recent interaction with a reporter on Tuesday, regarding her silver medal finishes instead of gold, went viral. Gu’s response, suggesting the question stemmed from a "ridiculous perspective," highlighted her strong self-belief and her pride in her accomplishments.
"I’m the most decorated female freeskier in history. I think that’s an answer in and of itself," Gu stated when pressed about whether she viewed her medals as "silvers earned" or "golds lost." She further elaborated, emphasizing the immense difficulty of winning any Olympic medal and the exponentially greater challenge of achieving multiple medals. Gu articulated that the notion of "two medals lost situation" is a narrow viewpoint, asserting that she is consistently showcasing her best skiing and performing maneuvers that are groundbreaking in the sport. Her current tally of five Olympic medals, including her two silvers in Milan Cortina, cements her status as a historically significant athlete.
Gu has one final opportunity to contend for a gold medal in the women’s halfpipe final on Sunday, an event widely considered her strongest. The event’s schedule was adjusted due to heavy snowfall in the region, adding another layer of challenge to her pursuit. Gu’s path to the halfpipe final was not without its drama, as she narrowly avoided missing the competition after a fall in the qualifier on Thursday. However, her resilience shone through as she rallied in her second run to secure a spot in the final.
The global spotlight on Eileen Gu has been relentless, fueled by the complex geopolitical undertones of her Olympic representation. When questioned on Thursday if she felt like "a bit of a punching bag for a certain strand of American politics," Gu acknowledged the sentiment, stating, "I do." She pointed out that numerous athletes represent countries different from their birthplaces and suggested that the intense criticism directed at her is often rooted in a broader aversion to China rather than solely her personal choice.
"People only have a problem with me doing it because they kind of lump China into this monolithic entity, and they just hate China," Gu remarked, as reported by USA Today. She also alluded to her success as a factor, implying that her winning performances might amplify the scrutiny. "And also, because I win. Like, if I wasn’t doing well, I think that they probably wouldn’t care as much, and that’s OK for me. People are entitled to their opinions."
The contrasting journeys of Alysa Liu and Eileen Gu serve as a compelling illustration of the complex interplay between personal identity, national allegiance, and the pursuit of athletic excellence on the Olympic stage. Liu’s triumph represents a celebrated victory for American sports, while Gu’s continued success for China underscores the evolving landscape of international competition and the personal choices athletes make in navigating their careers amidst global complexities. The public discourse surrounding their divergent paths highlights broader conversations about heritage, loyalty, and the powerful narratives that emerge from the Olympic Games.