US-born Chinese teen star Eileen Gu can’t help but capture the world’s attention with every action but this time it is because of her lunch.
American-born athlete Eileen Gu, who is representing China, has captured the world’s attention for many reasons during the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Before the Olympics, Gu, who was born and raised in the US, defected to China for the Beijing Games.
It has made almost every move she makes international news but she has somehow managed to win an Olympic gold already despite the pressure from being stuck between two super powers.
But her most recent move that managed to set her apart was simply the timing of her lunch.
While waiting for her score in the freeski slopestyle qualifying, Gu was seen on camera calmly tucking into what some have said was burger and others have said was a fried dumpling.
“Eileen Gu eating Jiucai Hezi (Garlic Chives Pasty) going viral in Chinese social media,” one Twitter user wrote. “A material for ‘Cultural Confidence’ – a Chinese-American lady eats Chinese recipe for takeout in Olympic Games rather than American Coke and burger.”
The reaction to her lunch choice was a reflection of just how much of a star Gu has become, and what she represents to people in the current politically charged climate.
Gu later told media she simply did not have time to sit in the lodge for lunch.
“I’m a very aggressive practiser. For me, practice is go-go-go. I brought lunch. I was eating on the T-bar. I was done by the time I got to the top, and ready to drop in immediately,” she said, according to the Associated Press.
The 18-year-old, whose name in China is Gu Ailing, is an Olympian, a model with deals with Victoria’s Secret and Vogue, and a student who will be going to America’s Stanford University in September.
She became the headline story of the Games after she left Team USA officials baffled by her decision to represent China while the country remains accused of abusing human rights and engaging in unfair trade policies.
“I have decided to compete for China in the 2022 Winter Olympics,” Gu announced in a 2019 tweet.
“The opportunity to help inspire millions of young people where my mum was born, during the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help promote the sport I love.”
Gu has already won gold in the inaugural women’s freeski big air, and is also competing in the freestyle half-pipe and slopestyle.
It means she could become the first freestyle skier to win Winter Games medals in three different disciplines.
She has avoided answering questions surrounding her American citizenship when asked by the media. China does not allow its citizens to carry dual citizenship and the International Olympic Committee requires athletes to hold passports for the countries they compete for.
“I definitely feel as though I’m just as American as I am Chinese,” she said.
“I’m American when I’m in the US and Chinese when I’m in China. Both continue to be supportive of me because they understand my mission is to use sport as a force for unity.”