The pressure was on China’s Eileen Gu as she stood on top of the ramp before her final qualifying run in the women’s freeski big air event. She was in 17th

Why Eileen Gu chose to represent China, and how identity, Olympic goals, and global endorsements shaped her controversial career decision.

American-born Olympian Eileen Gu scored millions from China in 2025 – a staggering payout exposed in a public budget before officials quickly scrubbed her name from the record, according to a report.

Born and raised in San Francisco, 22-year-old freestyle skiing sensation Eileen Gu is a double-Olympic champion - for China. Gu’s citizenship has been a contentious talking point due to her being born and living on the West Coast of America but choosing to represent China - where her mother is from - at the Olympics.

Eileen Gu, a freestyle skier, boasts an estimated net worth of $50 million, far above that of most of her competitors. One of the highest‑earning Winter Olympians ever, the vast majority of her income comes from endorsements and fashion contracts rather than prize money.

Despite earning only about US$100,000 in competition prize money last year, Chinese-American freestyle skier Eileen Gu amassed a staggering $23 million income, cementing her status as a global star athlete.

Chinese skier Eileen Gu took a big step toward her quest for her second medal in the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. This is after the American-born athlete finished second in the qualifying of the big air competition on Sunday.

Free skiing star Eileen Gu has criticised a decision from Winter Olympics organisers as she competes in three different disciplines