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ESPN Under Fire For Controversial Eileen Gu Headline

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ESPN Under Fire For Controversial Eileen Gu Headline

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 6:20 PM ET

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The discourse surrounding Eileen Gu at the 2026 Winter Olympics hasn't been very friendly, that's for sure.

Gu, who was born and raised in San Francisco, announced in 2019 that she would represent China in the 2022 Winter Olympics. She said at the time that her commitment to the Chinese Ski Association was her way of potentially inspiring "millions of young people" who came from her mother's country. Although it's been several years since Gu "snubbed" Team USA, she's still dealing with nonstop criticism.

ESPN senior writer Dan Wetzel sparked quite the debate this Friday by sharing his thoughts on Gu's decision to represent China at the Olympics.

"Besides, is she really harming the United States if she, a one-person corporation, is drawing tens of millions out of China only to presumably invest it back into America, where she lives? Where on the patriotism scale does that rank compared with a U.S.-based multinational that might sponsor Team USA while offshoring jobs? Any number of American companies, including ESPN's parent Disney, do plenty of business in China," Wetzel wrote.

"Like it or not, isn't being a rank opportunist and playing everyone in all directions for more and more money the American Way? Yes, having a citizenry that truly loves America and would never consider any alternative is an ideal for many. Then again, if you got offered $23.1 million to work for a Chinese company..."

Wetzel's latest work immediately went viral on social media. Some fans had a huge issue with his headline: "Eileen Gu's all-American choice to ski for China."

Feb 16, 2026; Livigno, Italy; Silver medalist Ailing Eileen Gu of the People's Republic of China celebrates during the medal ceremony for the women's big air final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images© Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images.

"ESPN is lost," one person said.

"Carrying the water for china? Would expect nothing less from ESPN," a second person commented.

"She was born and raised in America, her father is American, she represented the US at youth level yet chose to represent China for the money," another person said. "All the heavy criticism she's getting is absolutely justified."

"Don't you see your bias in this story? 'Deftly' really? Give both sides to the story without the embellishment for your side," a social media user wrote.

"The U.S. already has the representation," Eileen Gu told Time last month. "I like building my own pond."@DanWetzel looks at how Gu has deftly handled questions from both sides of the Pacific about her decision to compete for China at the Olympics. https://t.co/eMr0J6XsqE
— ESPN (@espn) February 20, 2026

Eileen Gu was allegedly assaulted over her decision.

During the early stages of the 2026 Olympics, Gu revealed that she was "physically assaulted” while on Stanford’s campus because she chose China over the United States for Olympic competition.

“I’ve had death threats,” Gu told The Athletic. “I’ve had my dorm robbed. I’ve gone through some things as a 22-year-old that I really think no one should ever have to endure, ever.”

Despite dealing with so much backlash over the past few weeks, Gu still managed to capture two more Olympic medals in Milan.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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