By Gloria Ogbonna
Eileen Gu, the California-born Olympic freestyle skiing star who made headlines for choosing to compete for China rather than the United States, has publicly criticized President Donald Trump over his harsh remarks about American skier Hunter Hess.
Gu said the political backlash surrounding Hess distracts from the true purpose of the Olympic Games and unfairly places athletes in the middle of national and political disputes.
In an interview with The Athletic, the 22-year-old two-time Olympic gold medalist expressed disappointment that political commentary has overshadowed athletic achievement at a time meant to celebrate unity, sportsmanship, and global cooperation.
“I’m sorry that the headline that is eclipsing the Olympics has to be something so unrelated to the spirit of the Games,” Gu said. “It really runs contrary to everything the Olympics should be.”
The controversy began after Hess, 27, spoke candidly with reporters in Italy about feeling conflicted while representing the United States. He admitted that it was “a little hard” for him to wear Team USA gear amid ongoing issues in the country that he said he is “not the biggest fan of.”
“Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.,” Hess said, comments that quickly spread online and sparked intense criticism.
President Trump responded sharply, blasting Hess in a social media post and labeling him a “real Loser.” Trump wrote that if Hess felt that way about the country, he should not have tried out for the national team, adding that it was “very hard to root for someone like this,” before ending the post with his signature slogan, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Gu, who has faced sustained backlash of her own for leaving Team USA to represent China, said she understands firsthand how quickly athletes can become targets once politics enter the conversation. Born and raised in California, Gu left the U.S. Ski & Snowboarding team at just 15 years old to compete for China, the country of her mother’s birth.
She went on to represent China at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, a decision that drew praise abroad and criticism at home.
“As someone who has gotten caught in the crossfire before, I feel sorry for the athletes,” Gu said. “I hope that they can ski to their very best.”
Gu emphasized that Olympic athletes should be allowed to focus on performance rather than being judged for personal opinions or national politics beyond their control.
Following the backlash, Hess later clarified and softened his remarks. While maintaining that he values the freedom to speak openly, he stressed that he remains proud to compete and said he “cannot wait” to represent Team USA on the international stage.
The incident has reignited broader debates about patriotism, free expression, and the role politics should play in international sports questions that continue to follow athletes long after the medals are won.
Source Breitbart
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