The Competing Loyalties of Chinese-American Athletes at the Winter Olympics

Sun Feb 15 2026 00:56:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the Winter Olympics unfold in Milan, the contrasting journeys of Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu raise questions about identity, loyalty, and national pride, spotlighting the complexities faced by athletes of Chinese-American descent.

Eileen Gu represents China while Alysa Liu competes for the US, creating a unique narrative around their dual heritage. Gu, often celebrated in China as a 'Snow Princess,' faces backlash in the US, while Liu garners support due to her father's history with the Tiananmen Square protests. This rivalry embodies the broader competitive dynamics between the US and China, reflecting deep-seated national sentiments towards identity and immigration.

An unusual battle is unfolding over the Winter Olympics in Milan - not on the slopes or in the rinks, but on the internet.

At its heart are Eileen Gu, a freestyle skier, and Alysa Liu, a figure-skater. They are both young women of American-Chinese heritage who were born and raised in the US and are champions in their field.

And yet, one is being hailed a trailblazer, while the other is deemed a traitor. On Chinese social media, it is the complete opposite. Liu competes under the US flag, while Gu represents China.

Liu's family background, especially her father's political activism during the Tiananmen Square protests, shapes her image in the US, contrasting with Gu's decision to ski for China, which has been met with heavy criticism tied to political issues in China.

This rivalry has been intensified by the broader geopolitical competition between the US and China, highlighting how personal identities and immigrant experiences affect perceptions and contribute to the pressure faced by these sports icons.

Despite their shared backgrounds, Gu and Liu are framed as opposing symbols of national loyalty and identity against the larger narrative of US-China relations.