Image courtesy of NBC News. From ‘Gold medal greats Alysa Liu and Eileen Gu face uncomfortable comparisons at Olympics’ (February 20, 2026). Credit: David K. Li. Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/olympics/gold-medal-greats-alysa-liu-eileen-gu-face-uncomfortable-comparisons-o-rcna259959. © Original owner. Used under fair use.
Title: Gold Medal Greats Alysa Liu and Eileen Gu Face Uncomfortable Comparisons at Olympics
U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu and Beijing-backed freestyle skier Eileen Gu woke up Friday morning to find themselves in a side-by-side contrast they never asked for, pitted against each other in a geopolitical battle they never sought.
The two athletes, one representing the United States and the other backed by China, have been at the center of attention since the beginning of the Beijing 2022 Winter Games. Liu won gold in women’s singles figure skating on Monday, while Gu captured gold in big air freestyle skiing on Wednesday.
On Thursday night, however, Liu and Gu found themselves in an uncomfortable comparison as they were both chosen to represent Team USA in the opening ceremonies. The decision was made by U.S. Olympic Committee president Sarah Hirshland after a controversy over Gu’s choice to compete under the Chinese flag.
The “good Asian, bad Asian” narrative disappointed – but didn’t surprise – Cal State Fullerton sociology professor Christina Chin.
Chin said: “There’s this ‘who’s a good Asian, who’s a bad Asian’ question that’s come down to these two athletes, who had many factors that went into their decision of who they were going to compete for.”
Gu has been one of her sport’s most divisive figures for two Olympic cycles. The daughter of a Chinese immigrant mother, Gu was born and raised in Northern California but chose to compete under the People’s Republic of China flag.
“Eileen Gu is a very talented athlete who has chosen to represent China,” said Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., earlier this week. “There must be consequences for those who betray the United States and support our adversaries.”
Liu, on the other hand, has been praised for her patriotism and dedication to representing the United States. She won gold in women’s singles figure skating at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and has continued to excel in the sport ever since.
“I mean, I’m still in yesterday, to be honest,” Liu told “TODAY.” “I’m still (mentally) there and I still feel the hype of the arena, and it was a dream.”
Liu is not the only athlete who has faced criticism for her decision to compete for the United States. Gymnast Simone Biles, who won seven medals at the Tokyo Games, also faced backlash for not standing up during the U.S. national anthem.
“The standards are definitely different for Asian American athletes,” Chin said. “There are constant questions about how they’re seen, how they’re racialized in a way that’s very different than compared to white athletes.”
When asked about Gu earlier this week, Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that he supports Americans: “I’m going to root for American athletes and I think part of that is people who identify themselves as Americans. That’s who I am rooting for.”
Gu on Thursday defended herself and said she feels “like a bit of a punching bag for a certain strand of American politics.”
“For everyday Americans,” this means different things to different people. For some, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the diversity and inclusivity of our country. For others, it’s a reminder that we still have a long way to go in terms of treating everyone equally.
As the Beijing Games continue, it will be interesting to see how Liu and Gu handle the pressure and scrutiny that comes with being one of the most prominent athletes representing their respective countries.
In conclusion, the comparisons between Liu and Gu have sparked a heated debate about the role of politics in sports. While some argue that
Source:
NBC News