Alysa Liu speaks out on Eileen Gu's decision to compete for China over US and political backlash

US Air Force Olympian Kelly Curtis and Team Israel bobsled captain AJ Edelman spoke in support of Eileen Gu amid global controversy over Gu's decision to. (Jackson Thompson / Fox News Digital)

U.S. Olympic figure skating sensation weighed in on the controversy surrounding American-born Team China skier Eileen Gu for choosing to represent China instead of the U.S. 

Liu gave her thoughts and background with Gu during an interview with The New York Times. 

"I’ve known Eileen since I was 13 or something. We’re from the Bay Area. She’s super nice, and her mom is from China. I think people are hypocritical for shaming her for representing China. So, in my head, it’s a bit hypocritical, because her mom is an immigrant. Y’all would have told her to go back to China. Now that they’re back in China, you’re mad," Liu said. 

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Gold medalist China's Eileen Gu poses with her medals after winning the women's freestyle skiing halfpipe final at the Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

"And it’s sport, it doesn’t matter what country we represent. Sport is sport, and she has a love for competition, she has love for the game. I think that’s all that matters. There’s no shame in going to where opportunity is."

Gu was a target for global criticism during the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, as she won two silvers and one gold in freeskiing. 

Vice President JD Vance even weighed in on Gu's decision during an interview on Fox News when the Olympics was going on. 

"I have no idea what her status should be, I think that's ultimately up to the Olympics Committee, I won't pretend to wade into that," Vance said.

"I certainly think that someone who grew up in the