Winter Olympics champion Eileen Gu has responded after U.S. Vice President JD Vance questioned her decision to represent China instead of the United States.Gu has been in top form at the 2026 Milano Games, qualifying for the halfpipe finals and securing another gold medal. But her performance has also reignited debate about her nationality choice. During an interview, Vance said he believed athletes who grow up in the U.S. would naturally want to compete for America, adding that he personally supports athletes who identify as American.

When reporters raised his comments, Gu said she often feels like “a punching bag” in political discussions. She pointed out that many athletes compete for countries different from where they were born, but her case draws more attention. According to Gu, criticism is often less about sport and more about attitudes toward China.

She added that her success may also play a role in the backlash. “If I wasn’t winning, people probably wouldn’t care as much,” she said, noting that everyone is entitled to their opinion. Speaking later with USA TODAY, the 22-year-old responded directly to Vance with a brief remark: “I’m flattered. Thanks, JD! That’s sweet.”

Gu also showed support for fellow American freeskier Hunter Hess after he admitted feeling uneasy representing the U.S. amid political tensions. Former President Donald Trump later criticized Hess in a social media post. Born in San Francisco to a Chinese mother and American father, Gu studied at Stanford University and has long embraced both sides of her heritage. Despite ongoing debate, she continues to focus on competition and her success on the world stage.