[Papa John]

BASE CASE:  Do we think China is an "enemy"... on par with Soviet Union in 1972 Olympics, 1976 or 1980?  
Would Gu catch any flack in those games for skiing for the USSR?  
I'll venture her citizenship would be forfeit.   [Gu is a US citizen, born in San Fran]  

I don't think anyone is disputing that China is an enemy of the USA, and from what I can tell everyone on this board wishes that Eileen Gu continued to compete for the US, which is what she did until the Beijing Olympics four years ago.

I am willing to believe EG's statements about wanting to encourage more girls and young women to participate in winter sports in China. Just consider EG's background. She was born to a Chinese-immigrant mother and an American father. The father is a total mystery and, from what I can tell, has had such minimal influence on EG that she has taken her mother's family name. So she was raised as a Chinese and an American by her mom and her maternal grandmother. She has lived significant parts of her life in China, not as an athlete or a tourist, but as a Chinese. It's perfectly feasible to me that she sees herself as serving her country, with country being defined by the people, and not necessarily the government.

To me, the fact that EG is taking NIL from the Chinese government actually makes her seem American. For example, a number of NBA players who also played in the Olympics have profited immensely from their relationships with Chinese companies (e.g. LeBron James, Klay Thompson, Anthony Edwards). I haven't heard them, or with a few exceptions anyone in the NBA, speaking out against the atrocities committed by the Chinese government. Granted these basketball players played for the USA, but they are not Chinese. Eileen Gu is.

Again, I would prefer that Eileen Gu compete on behalf of the USA in the Olympics, but I cheer for her because of her Stanford ties. And I'm willing to accept that her service-oriented personal convictions are sincere and her business savvy is formidable, both equally true.

[Papa John]

BASE CASE:  Do we think China is an "enemy"... on par with Soviet Union in 1972 Olympics, 1976 or 1980?  
Would Gu catch any flack in those games for skiing for the USSR?  
I'll venture her citizenship would be forfeit.   [Gu is a US citizen, born in San Fran]  

I don't think anyone is disputing that China is an enemy of the USA, and from what I can tell everyone on this board wishes that Eileen Gu continued to compete for the US, which is what she did until the Beijing Olympics four years ago.

I am willing to believe EG's statements about wanting to encourage more girls and young women to participate in winter sports in China. Just consider EG's background. She was born to a Chinese-immigrant mother and an American father. The father is a total mystery and, from what I can tell, has had such minimal influence on EG that she has taken her mother's family name. So she was raised as a Chinese and an American by her mom and her maternal grandmother. She has lived significant parts of her life in China, not as an athlete or a tourist, but as a Chinese. It's perfectly feasible to me that she sees herself as serving her country, with country being defined by the people, and not necessarily the government.

To me, the fact that EG is taking NIL from the Chinese government actually makes her seem American. For example, a number of NBA players who also played in the Olympics have profited immensely from their relationships with Chinese companies (e.g. LeBron James, Klay Thompson, Anthony Edwards). I haven't heard them, or with a few exceptions anyone in the NBA, speaking out against the atrocities committed by the Chinese government. Granted these basketball players played for the USA, but they are not Chinese. Eileen Gu is.

Again, I would prefer that Eileen Gu compete on behalf of the USA in the Olympics, but I cheer for her because of her Stanford ties. And I'm willing to accept that her service-oriented personal convictions are sincere and her business savvy is formidable, both equally true.