LIVIGNO, Italy – After a scare, Eileen Gu kept alive her quest for a third Olympic freestyle skiing medal in consecutive Games. She fell in her first run of the snowy women’s halfpipe qualifying on Feb. 19 before rallying to advance to the Feb. 21 finals.
But, per usual with her, that was only part of the evening’s story.
Afterward, the American-born Gu – who represents China as one of the most famous athletes in these Olympics – responded to questions about the criticism she receives in the United States.
That, recently, included Vice President JD Vance. In an interview with Fox News, Vance said, referring to Gu, he hoped someone who grew up in the U.S. would “want to compete with the United States.”
Gu didn't take offense to Vance's words, she said, and as for Vance wanting her to compete for the U.S., she replied playfully, “I’m flattered. Thanks, JD! That’s sweet.”
