Eileen Gu backed by US Winter Olympics athletes amid China controversy

While Elaine Guo, the American-born skater on Team China, faces increasing scrutiny in Winter Olympic GamesTwo other Americans competing in Milan-Cortina spoke out in support of the controversial medalist.

Veteran Team USA women’s skeleton athlete Kelly Curtis, who also serves as a staff sergeant in the Air Force, admits she didn’t think much about it Gu’s decision To represent China over the United States, Curtis insists that she only respects Gu because of her talent and accomplishments.

“Honestly, I haven’t thought about it much. She’s the most decorated freestyle skier, so she’s at the top of her career, and I have nothing but respect for her,” Curtis told Fox News Digital.

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Silver medalist Elaine Gu of China poses for photos after the women’s freestyle skiing awards ceremony in the big air event at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, February 16, 2026. (Photo by Wang Ping/Xinhua via Getty Images) (Wang Ping/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, another American citizen who chose to represent another country at the Olympics directly supports Gu’s decision to compete on behalf of China.

Israel bobsled team captain AJ Edelman, who grew up in New England, chose to do just that Representing Israel In skeleton at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games and in bobsleigh this year. He previously told Fox News Digital that although he is a proud American, he would never consider representing the United States instead of Israel.

Edelman asked about those who criticized her for choosing China.

“Every athlete has a different athletic journey, and every athlete chooses a path in their life for that athletic journey that is there and there on their own. I think it’s incredibly inappropriate for anyone to ask for favors from someone in sports for any particular reason that is not of that athlete’s will,” Edelman told Fox News Digital about Gu and the criticism she has received.

“When it comes to Elin or any other athlete representing another country…no one has the right to question that. It is completely inappropriate and extreme.”

Edelman compared Go’s decision to his selection to represent Israel.

He added, “Any athlete is free to choose the athletic path he takes, and I will respect that. Regarding my decision to represent a country other than the United States, I chose to do something that I thought would have an impact in a particular community. I felt that the community would be better influenced through appearance or through representation through the State of Israel.”

However, Edelman made financial sacrifices to compete on behalf of Israel, which has a figure skating team with far fewer resources than the United States.

He previously told Fox News Digital that he had to live below the poverty line in order to maintain his commitment to captaining the Israeli team for the past 13 years, and had to sell all of his bitcoins, which he says would be worth millions today if he had kept them.

“It was all spent on snowboarding,” he said. “I would be a huge millionaire if I still had it.”

Meanwhile, Gu became a millionaire, while… Represents China.

Elaine Gu’s reaction to reporter about winning silver instead of gold goes viral: ‘Ridiculous perspective’

Gu is the highest paid Winter Olympic athlete In the world, it generated an estimated $23 million in 2025 alone amid partnerships with Chinese companies, including the Bank of China, and Western companies. Gu said she represents China to her mother, who was born there.

the Wall Street Journal It was reported last week that Gu and Zhu Yi, a fellow American-born skater who now competes for China, were paid a total of $6.6 million from the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau in 2025 for “striving for excellent results in qualifying for the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.” In total, the two have reportedly earned nearly $14 million over the past three years.

Meanwhile, Gu did not address the allegations Human rights violations Implemented by China.

In an interview with Time magazine, Gu was asked about her thoughts on China’s alleged persecution of Uighurs and other Turkic Muslim minorities in Xinjiang.

Joe responded: “I didn’t do the research. I don’t think it’s any of my business. I’m not going to make big claims on my social media.”

“I’m more skeptical when it comes to data in general…so it’s not like I can read an article and say, ‘Oh, well, this must be the truth.’ I need to get a lot of evidence. Maybe I need to go to the place, maybe talk to 10 people with primary sources who are at a site who have experience living there. Then I need to go and see pictures. I need to listen to recordings. I need to think about how the history affected it. Then I need to read books about how to do that.” Politics affects him. This is a lifelong search…

“It is irresponsible of me to be asked to be the mouthpiece for any agenda.”

Gu admitted that she was Felt like a “punching bag” Amidst the backlash this winter.

“I do,” Gu said when asked if she felt “like a punching bag for a certain series of American politics” to USA Today.

“A lot of athletes compete for a different country… People only have a problem doing that because they lump China into this interconnected entity, and they just… I hate China. So it’s not really about what they think it’s about. And also, because I won. Like if I wasn’t feeling well, I think they probably wouldn’t care as much, which is fine by me. “People have the right to express their opinions.”

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Elaine Gu of the People’s Republic of China falls during the women’s halfpipe free skating qualifier on day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Livigno Air Park on February 19, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Gu previously said that “Physically assaulted“For her decision to represent China.

“The police were called. I received death threats. My place was robbed.” Joe told The Athletic. “I went through some things when I was 22 that I truly believe no one should ever have to endure.”

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