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Eileen Gu’s expertise are carried out at such velocity that they’re troublesome to compute in real-time, as she sails 22ft within the air, twisting her physique like a corkscrew whereas clutching the underside of her ski.
Earlier than every bounce she closes her eyes and visualises her efficiency, imagining how every scene will play out.
You would possibly marvel if she additionally envisaged how the post-event press convention would manifest, too, as a result of Gu dealt with the rising controversy over her nationality with related aplomb.
The 18-year-old is the standout star of the Beijing Winter Olympics, already a champion in a single freestyle snowboarding occasion and the favorite to win two extra gold medals.
However simply hours after an exciting last-run victory within the Large Air ultimate, she was navigating questions on why she selected to symbolize China and the nation’s human rights document.
The daughter of a Chinese language mom and an American father, Gu was born and has at all times lived within the US, studying to ski within the mountains of California.
However in 2019, aged 15 and with the Beijing Video games simply three years away, Gu determined unexpectedly to switch her allegiance from the US to China.
It was a giant blow for the USA to lose a once-in-a-generation expertise, to not point out a vogue mannequin and assured public speaker, somebody with the star energy to remodel a sport.
For her half, Gu mentioned she wished to “assist encourage tens of millions of younger folks” in her mom’s personal nation to take up the game she loves.
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In an Instagram publish from the time, she wrote: “By way of snowboarding, I hope to unite folks, promote frequent understanding, create communication and forge friendships between nations.”
However moderately than bringing folks collectively, Gu’s transfer has proved divisive.
One other former USA skier, Jen Hudak, mentioned: “It isn’t my place to evaluate, however Eileen is from California, not from China, and her resolution [to ski for China] appears opportunistic.
“She turned the athlete she is as a result of she grew up in the US, the place she had entry to premier coaching grounds and training that, as a feminine, she may not have had in China.”
Gu’s former coaches have praised her work ethic and the best way she balanced snowboarding and college.
She already has a spot secured at considered one of America’s most prestigious universities, the place she has expressed an curiosity in finding out worldwide relations.
However Gu is already gaining real-world expertise in grappling with geopolitics.
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Within the wake of her gold medal win, she was repeatedly requested by journalists about whether or not she stays a US citizen however in some way managed to keep away from giving a straight reply.
The Worldwide Olympic Committee requires all rivals to have a passport for the nation they symbolize however China doesn’t recognise dual-nationality.
Neither Gu, nor her many big-ticket sponsors, will say whether or not she gave up her American passport with a purpose to switch allegiance.
“Sport is a approach we will unite folks, it would not must be about nationality,” Gu mentioned, “we’re all out right here collectively, pushing the human limits”.
“I grew up spending 25% of my time in China, I am fluent in Mandarin and English and fluent culturally in each international locations. After I’m within the USA, I am American, once I’m in China, I am Chinese language.”
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Gu was additionally requested about ideas that she has grow to be a political pawn for China’s ruling get together, a approach for them to sport wash away proof of oppressive insurance policies in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet, and different human rights issues.
The tennis participant Peng Shuai was within the crowd to observe Gu’s gold medal victory.
She disappeared from public view after accusing a senior former authorities official of sexual abuse on her social media account.
When Peng Shuai reappeared, she retracted her allegations however many imagine she has been silenced.
“I am grateful she is comfortable and wholesome and out right here doing her factor once more,” Gu mentioned, “I am comfortable to know she was right here.”
Peng Shuai could also be a cautionary story for Eileen Gu that in contrast to in her house nation, athletes are usually not inspired to talk out in China and those that do can face extreme penalties.
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