An unexpected controversy is surrounding the Winter Olympics in Milan, unfolding not on the ice or snow, but across social media platforms. At the centre of the debate are two elite athletes: Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu.
Both women are American-born athletes of Chinese heritage and among the most accomplished in their disciplines. Yet they have become symbols in a wider political debate shaped by rising tensions between the United States and China.
Liu, whose father fled China after participating in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, competes for the United States. Gu, raised in California by a Chinese mother, chose in 2019 to represent China, citing a desire to inspire young people in Beijing. She went on to win two gold medals and one silver at the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, cementing her status as a major sports figure in China.
In the US, some critics have questioned Gu’s decision to compete under the Chinese flag, arguing that it aligns her with Beijing at a time of geopolitical rivalry. On Chinese social media, however, she is widely celebrated as a national icon. Meanwhile, Liu has drawn admiration in the US not only for her skating achievements but also for her family’s history of political activism.
The renewed backlash against Gu intensified after she publicly defended fellow American Olympian Hunter Hess, who had expressed “mixed feelings” about representing the US amid domestic political tensions. Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom and other commentators accused Gu of benefiting from American freedoms while competing for China. Critics argued she had not publicly addressed human rights concerns in China, including allegations related to Xinjiang and Tibet — claims Beijing denies.
Scholars say the online divide reflects broader geopolitical rivalry. Professor Yinan He of Lehigh University notes that in an era sometimes described as a “new Cold War,” dual identity is increasingly viewed through the lens of national loyalty. Professor Richard King of Columbia College Chicago adds that both athletes have been cast into opposing narratives shaped by politics, class perceptions and cultural symbolism rather than sport alone.
Gu, often associated with elite education and international branding, is sometimes portrayed by critics as having made a calculated career move. Liu, by contrast, is framed by supporters as embodying patriotism and resilience. The rivalry narrative has intensified comparisons between the two, particularly after Liu helped secure a gold medal for the US figure skating team.
The debate has also drawn in public figures. Actor Simu Liu praised Gu as inspirational, only to face online backlash. The controversy underscores the complex landscape navigated by Asian Americans whose identities are often politicised.
As the Games continue in Milan, the achievements of both athletes risk being overshadowed by the geopolitical tensions that have turned their personal choices into symbols of a much larger struggle between Washington and Beijing.
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