American freestyle skier Eileen Gu revealed that she was “physically assaulted,” robbed, and received death threats at Stanford University due to her controversial 2019 decision to represent her mother’s native China in the Olympics.
Gu told The Athletic that she was attacked on the street at just 15 years old because of her choice to compete for China rather than the United States during the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
“Physically assaulted on the street,” Gu said, describing the alleged incident while in Livigno last week ahead of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Eileen Gu of Team China celebrated with her national flag during the medal ceremony for the Women’s Freeski Big Air at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park on February 16, 2026.
“The police were called. I’ve had death threats. I’ve had my dorm robbed,” Gu said.
“I’ve gone through some things as a 22-year-old that I really think no one should ever have to endure, ever.”
Stanford University police directed The Athletic to its Department of Public Safety, which did not respond to requests for comment.
Gu, who resides in the United States, enrolled at Stanford in 2022 despite a petition from parents of prospective students and members of the Chinese-American community attempting to block her admission.
“Sometimes I feel like I’m carrying the weight of two countries on my shoulders,” Gu added.
Eileen Gu reacted after competing in Run Three of the Women’s Freeski Big Air Final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park on February 16, 2026.
The daughter of an American father and a Chinese mother, Gu defended her 2019 decision to represent China in the Olympics in an Instagram post:
“I am proud of my heritage, and equally proud of my American upbringing. The opportunity to inspire millions of young people where my mom was born during the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games is once-in-a-lifetime… Through skiing, I hope to unite people, promote understanding, create communication, and forge friendships between nations. If I can inspire even one young girl to break a boundary, my wishes will have come true.”
Gu won silver in Monday’s Women’s Big Air final and is the only female skier competing in all three freestyle events in the Italian Alps: Slopestyle, Big Air, and Halfpipe.
She is the most accomplished women’s freeskier in history, with 20 World Cup wins, two Olympic golds, and three silver medals.
Earlier this month, Forbes reported that Gu is the highest-paid athlete at the 2026 Winter Games, earning $23.1 million annually.
Off the slopes, Gu is represented by IMG Models and has modeled for Victoria’s Secret, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, Tiffany & Co., and Louis Vuitton.
