Grand marshal of San Francisco parade Eileen Gu blasted by Republicans

California Republicans are blasting San Francisco–born Olympic star Eileen Gu after the freestyle skier acquired a hero’s welcome in the course of the metropolis’s annual Chinese language New 12 months parade, with critics accusing the celebration of honoring an athlete who selected to compete for China as a substitute of america.

The Monterey County Republican Occasion ignited the backlash after sharing video on X displaying Gu being greeted by large crowds in San Francisco following her efficiency on the 2026 Winter Olympics.

“SF cleans up properly for the CCP [Chinese Communist Party],” the group wrote in a publish accompanying the footage, referring to China’s ruling authorities.

Gu, who was born and raised in San Francisco however competes internationally for China, has lengthy drawn scrutiny from critics who query her determination to characterize Beijing on the world stage regardless of her American upbringing.

The controversy resurfaced after Gu appeared as a grand marshal throughout San Francisco’s annual Chinese language New 12 months parade, one of many largest Lunar New 12 months celebrations exterior Asia.

Hundreds of spectators lined the streets as floats, lion dancers, and marching teams made their method from downtown into Chinatown in a colourful celebration of Chinese language tradition and heritage. Firecrackers popped all through the procession as performers in conventional costumes waved to cheering crowds.

Gu appeared halfway by means of the parade in a crimson convertible embellished with flowers, carrying a crimson gown — a coloration related to prosperity and luck in the course of the vacation.

Parade organizers stated the Olympic champion was chosen months upfront to function grand marshal.

William Gee, one of many parade’s organizers, stated Gu was chosen earlier than the Winter Video games due to her affect and connection to the area people.

“The 12 months of the Horse brings new power and new life,” Gee stated. “She represents Chinese language heritage and she or he’s an icon for a lot of younger individuals.”

Gu’s Olympic success has helped elevate her profile all over the world. She has turn out to be one of the embellished freestyle skiers in Olympic historical past, incomes a number of medals on the Winter Video games whereas turning into a world celeb and model ambassador.

However her determination to compete for China — a alternative she introduced as an adolescent — has repeatedly sparked debate in america.

Supporters say the criticism misses the purpose of her multicultural background.

Vanessa Chan of close by South San Francisco stated Gu represents a mix of cultures that resonates with many within the Bay Space.

“She’s actually great,” Chan stated whereas attending the parade. “She’s humorous, sunny, and she or he represents positivity.”

One other attendee, Megan Chin, stated the assaults in opposition to Gu are unfair and ignore the realities of rising up between cultures.

“Once you’re multicultural and also you need to have a good time each heritages, it’s nice to be pleased for somebody in the event that they need to have a good time their different heritage as effectively,” Chin stated. “I’m pleased with her.”

Others echoed comparable sentiments, saying Gu embodies the twin id shared by many households within the area.

Calvin Lui, who attended the parade together with his younger son, stated he appreciated the athlete representing each her hometown and her heritage.

“That’s her id,” Lui stated. “Each nations — so she will get the perfect of each worlds.”

San Francisco’s Chinese language New 12 months parade, first organized within the 1860s by Chinese language immigrants in the course of the Gold Rush period, stays one of many metropolis’s most celebrated cultural traditions.

However this yr’s festivities — meant to have a good time the Lunar New 12 months and the 12 months of the Horse — have additionally reignited the political debate surrounding one of many Bay Space’s most well-known athletes.

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