Eileen Gu (Photo Via Imagn Images)

Eileen Gu Announces Major Career Move After Viral Olympics ‘Traitor’ Controversy & Success Fueled Her Rise To Fame

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Arnab Mondal | Last updated Feb 25, 2026 2:26 PM ET

Freestyle skiing star Eileen Gu finished the 2026 Winter Olympics with more medals and a lot of attention. Now that she has made her next step clear, everyone is excited to see how it turns out.

Gu won one gold medal and two silver medals at the Milan-Cortina Games. After the Olympics ended, she decided to stay in Milan, not to keep training, but to attend Fashion Week instead.

The 22-year-old, who represents China, told AFP she plans to focus on her “other job.” That job is fashion. “It’s Fashion Week in Milan,” Gu said. “I have the other job, the other fashion thing.”

Her decision comes after weeks of online attacks from critics in the United States who call her a “traitor” for competing for China. Gu addressed the issue during the Games. “I do,” she said when asked by USA Today if she feels like a “punching bag for a certain strand of American politics.” She added that people “lump China into this monolithic entity, and they just hate China.” Moreover, she also said, “And also, because I win.”

Eileen Gu Will Have A Good Run Ahead

Eileen Gu (Image Credits: Imagn)

Gu said she will stay in Milan from Feb. 24 to March 2 for Fashion Week. She made her catwalk debut in 2023 and has built strong ties in the fashion world. “I’m really excited to just explore some other avenues, be creative, and explore my femininity through fashion,” she said. She believes fashion and sport “co-exist so beautifully.”

Gu has balanced professional skiing with modeling and her studies at Stanford. She signed with IMG Models and appeared on the covers of Chinese editions of top magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Cosmopolitan, GQ, and Vogue. Also, she has worked with well-known fashion brands such as Fendi, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., and Louis Vuitton. In addition, she attended the Met Gala in 2022 and Paris Fashion Week in 2023.

After shining on the slopes, #EileenGu is off to #MilanFashion Week. She says she’s excited to explore her “other job” in fashion and hopes to showcase the perfect blend of feminine beauty and skiing. pic.twitter.com/9zwwMhqrI2
— Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) February 24, 2026

According to Forbes, Gu made about $23 million last year from sponsorship deals. That number brought more attention to her decision to compete for China. Gu has said money was not the reason for her choice. “I’m glad that there’s enough money in the sport now for people to think that’s a consideration,” she told TIME last month.

She said she wanted to inspire young people in China to try freestyle skiing. “The US already has the representation,” she told TIME. “I like building my own pond.”

Now, Gu is heading to Milan Fashion Week with Olympic medals and ongoing criticism. She keeps moving forward and shifts between sports and fashion without slowing down.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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