Megan Rapinoe says Eileen Gu representing China over US is an 'excellent business decision' amid controversy

US Air Force Olympian Kelly Curtis and Team Israel bobsled captain AJ Edelman spoke in support of Eileen Gu. (Jackson Thompson / Fox News Digital)

Former women's soccer player Megan Rapinoe weighed in on the debate over Eileen Gu's decision to represent China despite growing up in the U.S. 

Gu, an American-born athlete competing for Team China in freeskiing, became one of the most controversial topics of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics while becoming the most accomplished women's freeskier in history. 

Controversy erupted after The Wall Street Journal reported that Gu and another American-born athlete who now competes for China, were paid a combined $6.6 million by the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau in 2025. 

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Megan Rapinoe warms up before the NWSL championship semifinal game against the San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium Nov. 5, 2023. (Ray Acevedo/USA Today Sports)

Gu is the highest-paid Winter Olympics athlete in the world, making an estimated $23 million in 2025 alone due to partnerships with Chinese companies, including the Bank of China and western companies. 

Rapinoe considers Gu's choice to compete for China an "excellent business decision."

"Excellent business decision on her part, I just have to say it," Rapinoe said on her podcast with co-host and spouse Sue Bird. "No shame in that game." 

Rapinoe and Bird went on to comment on a viral interaction between Gu and a reporter who asked the skier if she considered her two silver Olympic medals lost opportunities at winning gold. Gu suggested the reporter's question came from a ridiculous perspective after laughing at him. 

"That might be the best answer I've ever heard to a question like that," Bird