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Jess Ma

A debate has erupted online over the true nationality of freestyle ski star Eileen Gu, after she posted a video of herself wearing China’s Olympic uniform.
Gu posted the video of her parading the official uniform of the Chinese Winter Olympics team on her Douyin and Instagram accounts on Wednesday.
The video, where Gu put on a lighthearted fashion show, garnered more than 18,000 and 38,000 likes on Instagram and Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, respectively.
However, when shared on mainland social media by Chinese news outlets, reception to Gu’s video took a turn amid widespread discussion of Gu’s citizenship status, with some questioning her true nationality.




















View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Eileen Gu 🖤🌈🧊🐲 (@eileen_gu_)



Netizens asked whether Gu is Chinese or American and raised concern on the possibility of Gu having dual Chinese and American citizenship. Gu was born and raised in San Francisco to a Beijing native mother and American father.
In 2019, Gu announced she had decided to represent China at the 2022 Winter Olympics. She changed her affiliation from the United States to China in June 2019, according to the International Ski Federation.

Since Chinese law does not recognise dual citizenship, Gu’s switch means she cannot not hold both nationalities at the same time. Gu is yet to clarify her nationality status publicly since making the decision to represent China at the Beijing Games.
One comment on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like social media platform, questioned some of Gu’s recent interviews, saying it was unclear who she represented.
“I’m curious about her stating that she’s American when she’s in America, and Chinese when in China in interviews with foreign media. Her name is not on the list of people who have given up US citizenship on the Federal Register, foreign media reported that she has dual citizenship. What do people think? Is this tacit acceptable?”
The comment received 42 upvotes and sparked heated discussion with opinions largely divided on Gu’s identity as a Chinese athlete.
Many argued Gu’s decision to represent China at the Winter Olympics says enough about her Chinese identity, while others raised concerns about Gu’s potential dual citizenship between China and the United States.
Watch: Eileen Gu models Chinese gear, turns Olympic Village into a catwalk
“It’s all right as long as the Chinese flag is raised in the award ceremony when she becomes champion. At least she’s willing to share her champion title with China,” one commenter wrote in reply.
“Does it matter? She is of mixed heritage and has sentimental ties to both sides,” another said.
“The point is [she may have] dual citizenship,” a commenter insisted.
“I just wanted to express confusion on why, on one hand, dual nationality is not recognised for ordinary people – once discovered, their Chinese accounts will be removed, but on the other hand an athlete with dual citizenship is celebrated. Is this blatant double standards?” another argued.
In a curiously timed post on Thursday, Gu explained her ambitions for competing at the Beijing Olympics and what she hoped to achieve as a result.




















View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Eileen Gu 🖤🌈🧊🐲 (@eileen_gu_)



“I’ve always said my goal is to globally spread the sport I love to kids, especially girls, and to shift sport culture toward one motivated by passion,” she wrote.
“Now, after hearing that over 300 MILLION Chinese people have started winter sports for fun, I’m blown away by how far we have come. I’m proud to have done my best to spread a positive and personal message, and to have reached audiences willing to listen to me.”
Gu remains hugely popular both domestically and abroad. Her official Weibo account tops 1.3 million followers, while Instagram has more than 250,000 followers.


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Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

Winter Olympics: is Eileen Gu American or Chinese? Speculation swirls around her true nationality

Eileen Gu has represented China on the international stage since 2019. Photo: AFP

A JD.com advertisement with an image of Eileen Gu is seen at a bus stop in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

Eileen Gu, the part-time teen model and world champion skier tasked with leading China’s Winter Olympics medal push

Eileen Gu Ailing of China after winning the women’s freeski half-pipe event at the US Grand Prix in California. Photo: AFP   

Eileen Gu on a training run at the US Grand Prix in California. Photo: AFP   

Eileen Gu, of China, after winning the Women’s Freeski Halfpipe competition at the US Grand Prix in California. Photo: AFP   

A delivery worker rides a vehicle pasts an advertisement featuring Chinese freestyle skier Eileen Gu in Beijing. Photo: Reuters 

Winter Olympics: Eileen Gu thrills fans by dining on dumplings in Beijing, ‘finished eating all of them’

Eileen Gu eats dumplings in a Beijing restaurant after she arrives for the Winter Olympics. Photo: Weibo

Eileen Gu boards a plane in San Francisco on her way to Beijing. Photo: Weibo

China predicted to have best Winter Olympics ever, with Norway tipped to top medal table ahead of Russia and Germany

Cai Xuetong, one of China’s big hopes for a medal at the Beijing Olympics, in action during the FIS Snowboard World Cup 2022. Photo: Xinhua

Eileen Gu of Team China is widely considered a triple medal threat in the half-pipe, slopestyle and big air events. Photo: AFP

Women’s bobsleigh due Ying Qing and Du Jiani are the best of the Chinese pairs. Photo: EPA-EFE

Sverre Lunde Pedersen of Norway and Fu Xu of China in action during a training session ahead of the Winter Games. Photo: Reuters 

Sport

China

Beijing Winter Games 2022

Skiing


Netizens ask whether Gu is Chinese or American and raise concern on the possibility of Gu having dual Chinese and American citizenship
‘Does it matter? She is of mixed heritage and has sentimental ties to both sides,’ one commenter said on Weibo



A debate has erupted online over the true nationality of freestyle ski star Eileen Gu, after she posted a video of herself wearing China’s Olympic uniform.


Eileen Gu

Winter Olympics: is Eileen Gu American or Chinese? Speculation swirls around her true nationality

Netizens ask whether Gu is Chinese or American and raise concern on the possibility of Gu having dual Chinese and American citizenship ‘Does it matter? She is of mixed heritage and has sentimental ties to both sides,’ one commenter said on Weibo

Netizens ask whether Gu is Chinese or American and raise concern on the possibility of Gu having dual Chinese and American citizenship

‘Does it matter? She is of mixed heritage and has sentimental ties to both sides,’ one commenter said on Weibo