Chinese language Olympic star Eileen Gu condemned President Trump’s harsh criticism of American skier Hunter Hess after he expressed “blended feelings” about representing the US on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Gu, 22, who was born within the US however is competing for her mom’s native China, stated she was upset that the most recent buzz surrounding the Olympics was about Trump’s feedback — relatively than about sports activities uniting the world.
“I’m sorry that the headline that’s eclipsing the Olympics must be one thing so — unrelated to the spirit of the Video games,” the two-time gold medalist informed The Athletic.
“It actually runs opposite to every part the Olympics ought to be.”
Gu, who secured her second profession silver medal in Milan, stated she empathized with Hess as a result of she isn’t any stranger to scrutiny from her fellow Individuals.
The younger athlete sparked main backlash at simply 15 years outdated when she opted to go away behind the US Ski & Snowboarding workforce to symbolize China, the place she competed for the house workforce within the 2022 Beijing Video games.
Gu defended her determination to ditch the Stars as Stripes as a technique to promote freestyle snowboarding within the Communist nation — which doesn’t have a wealthy historical past of competing in winter sports activities. Through the Beijing video games, Gu grew to become the youngest Olympic champion in freestyle snowboarding historical past.
“As somebody who has bought caught within the crossfire earlier than, I really feel sorry for the athletes,” Gu stated. “I hope that they’ll ski to their best.”
Together with Gu, US snowboarder Chloe Kim, 25, additionally got here to Hess’s protection, saying that whereas she was proud to symbolize the US, she backed any fellow American’s proper to voice their opinions.
“It’s necessary in moments like these for us to unite and form of arise for each other with what’s happening,” Kim, a double gold medalist and eight time X Video games champion, informed the Instances.
“I’m actually proud to symbolize america. The U.S. has given my household a lot alternative, however I additionally suppose we’re allowed to voice our opinions on what’s happening,” she added.
“Clearly, my dad and mom being immigrants, this one hits fairly near residence.”
The star athletes got here to Hess’s protection after the free ski Olympian stated he disagreed with “so much” of the issues taking place in America, with different athletes particularly naming Trump’s immigration enforcement coverage.
Trump, nonetheless, directed his full ire on the 27-year-old skier, calling Hess “an actual loser” on Reality Social put up on Sunday.
“If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Staff, and it’s too dangerous he’s on it. Very laborious to root for somebody like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote.
