[fullmetal]

I guess I'm a little hawkish about the situation but also cynical -- Gu has a major financial stake in China as her modeling career is probably primarily based on her popularity in China.  As mentioned earlier, her decision to represent China occurred in 2019, potentially before she was even aware of the CCP Uyghur cultural erasure campaign.  In 2019, she probably dreamed of balancing anti-Chinese sentiment from the then-White House occupants as a role model and example of cultural exchange.  Since then, the behavior of the CCP in Hong Kong and Xinjiang has doubled down on past sins, not to mention further posturing against Taiwan.  Gu has yoked herself to the nation of her choosing, and she's certainly chose the more lucrative path.  The things we do when we're fifteen years old and controlled by our parents...

Note: The former American figure skater Zhu Yi committed to skating for China in 2018 (at about age 16, renouncing her citizenship).  Prevailing anti-Chinese sentiment in the political discourse may well have played a part in that.  Was her father's return to China part of her selection to the Chinese national team?

Some brought up Zhu's father, Zhu Songchun, a leading artificial intelligence expert who returned to China to head a key research institute in 2020.

"Congratulations to the Chinese figure skating team for making such a brobdingnagian contribution to the field of computing!" wrote one, drily.

https://amp.france24.com/en/live-news/20...cs-blunder

I allow my cynicism to drown out any outrage I feel.  These decisions were made during a prior US administration in a different political atmosphere, potentially under indirect duress upon family residing in China as well as potential financial incentive.  I'll settle for distaste at their complicit support of the CCP and knowing that nothing I feel will ever affect either of these athletes.

[fullmetal]

I guess I'm a little hawkish about the situation but also cynical -- Gu has a major financial stake in China as her modeling career is probably primarily based on her popularity in China.  As mentioned earlier, her decision to represent China occurred in 2019, potentially before she was even aware of the CCP Uyghur cultural erasure campaign.  In 2019, she probably dreamed of balancing anti-Chinese sentiment from the then-White House occupants as a role model and example of cultural exchange.  Since then, the behavior of the CCP in Hong Kong and Xinjiang has doubled down on past sins, not to mention further posturing against Taiwan.  Gu has yoked herself to the nation of her choosing, and she's certainly chose the more lucrative path.  The things we do when we're fifteen years old and controlled by our parents...

Note: The former American figure skater Zhu Yi committed to skating for China in 2018 (at about age 16, renouncing her citizenship).  Prevailing anti-Chinese sentiment in the political discourse may well have played a part in that.  Was her father's return to China part of her selection to the Chinese national team?

Some brought up Zhu's father, Zhu Songchun, a leading artificial intelligence expert who returned to China to head a key research institute in 2020.

"Congratulations to the Chinese figure skating team for making such a brobdingnagian contribution to the field of computing!" wrote one, drily.

https://amp.france24.com/en/live-news/20...cs-blunder

I allow my cynicism to drown out any outrage I feel.  These decisions were made during a prior US administration in a different political atmosphere, potentially under indirect duress upon family residing in China as well as potential financial incentive.  I'll settle for distaste at their complicit support of the CCP and knowing that nothing I feel will ever affect either of these athletes.