News Analysis
Ever since American-born freestyle skier Eileen Gu stepped onto the podium at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, draped in China’s red flag, she became one of the most recognizable faces of the Games. This year at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, she once again represented China.
Her success was celebrated across Chinese state media as a symbol of national rejuvenation and global influence. However, Gu is not an isolated case. Her rise highlights a broader, more controversial effort by Beijing to recruit foreign athletes through state-backed naturalization programs.
Naturalization for Sports
In the years leading up to the 2026 Winter Olympics, Chinese leader Xi Jinping publicly acknowledged efforts to strengthen China’s winter sports by fostering “stronger global ties” with athletes from other countries….
Eileen Gu’s Return to the Olympics Renews Concerns Over China’s Athlete Naturalization Program
