[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Gu Ailing (18, American name Eileen Gu), who won the gold medal in the freestyle skiing event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and was loved by the Chinese people as the "Daughter of Beijing," suddenly announced her move to the United States after the Olympics ended.
On the 22nd, China’s People's Daily cited an interview with USA Today, reporting that "Gu Ailing plans to return to the United States after the Olympics to continue her studies at Stanford University."
Gu Ailing emerged as a national hero by winning two gold medals and one silver medal in freestyle skiing at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Before the Olympics, she signed advertising contracts with as many as 25 brands. These included China’s largest telecom company China Mobile, one of China’s four major state-owned banks Bank of China, home appliance company Midea, China’s largest dairy company Mengniu, Luckin Coffee, two major Chinese e-commerce companies JD.com, sportswear company Anta, Cadillac, Tiffany, Victoria’s Secret, Red Bull, and many overseas companies.
However, after recently announcing her move to the United States, it is reported that her future participation in the Chinese national ski team remains "uncertain."
In an interview with American media, she said, "It is true that I still love skiing, but I cannot give a definite answer about whether I will compete in the future," adding, "What is certain now is that I will return to the United States to study at Stanford University and write a book about myself." She also expressed a desire to continue her career in the fashion business.
Gu Ailing, who is working as a model for a Chinese beverage commercial. Photo by Gu Ailing Weibo capture
Born in San Francisco, USA, she is the daughter of an American father and a Chinese mother. She started skiing at a young age and grew into a top American prospect. Although selected for the U.S. national team, she declared Chinese naturalization three years ago. Amid rising U.S.-China tensions, her nationality and the circumstances of her representing China attracted public attention.
Having lived in the U.S. but winning a gold medal for China, she drew significant interest from China. China affectionately nicknamed her the "Daughter of Beijing" and showed great love.
Gu Ailing, who received national affection, reportedly earned over 40 billion KRW in advertising revenue during the Olympics. Additionally, her income from winning two Olympic gold medals is said to have reached 120 billion KRW.
However, Gu Ailing plans to return to the United States. At a press conference immediately after her victory, she had already stated, "When I am in China, I am Chinese; when I am in the U.S., I am American."
Following this news, many Chinese netizens expressed anger. Some called her a "scammer," said "mixed blood with American cannot be hidden," and accused her of "making a fortune in China and planning to flee to the U.S."
Meanwhile, China does not allow dual citizenship. Currently, Gu Ailing has not clearly stated whether she will renounce her U.S. citizenship.
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