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Eileen Gu: Olympic Star Faces Backlash Amid Political Tensions

2/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Eileen Gu faces intense scrutiny and backlash for representing China at the Winter Olympics.
She is the highest-paid Winter Olympic athlete.
She has received threats and experienced physical assaults.
Gu says she feels like a "punching bag" amid political tensions surrounding her representation of China.
Fellow athletes Kelly Curtis and AJ Edelman support her, saying each athlete's journey is personal and should not be questioned.

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Story summary

Eileen Gu faces intense scrutiny and backlash for representing China at the Winter Olympics.
She is the highest-paid Winter Olympic athlete.
She has received threats and experienced physical assaults.
Gu says she feels like a "punching bag" amid political tensions surrounding her representation of China.
Fellow athletes Kelly Curtis and AJ Edelman support her, saying each athlete's journey is personal and should not be questioned.