Eileen Gu, the American-born Olympic freestyle skier who represents China, has reportedly received millions in funding from the Chinese government, as highlighted in a recent report.
A report by the Wall Street Journal revealed that in 2025, a public budget indicated the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau planned to allocate $6.6 million to Gu and Zhu Yi, a figure skater also born in the U.S.
Interestingly, the publication noted that their names were removed from these budget records shortly after they became public.
This funding from the Chinese government comes at a time when Gu is already recognized as one of the world’s highest-paid female athletes.
Previously, in an interview with TIME, Gu, a two-time gold medalist, defended her choice to compete for China, explaining that the U.S. already had ample representation, as reported by Warner Todd Huston in January.
Gu further mentioned that the possibility of earning more through Chinese endorsements was not a factor in her decision-making process.
The money from the Chinese government to Gu comes as she is “already one of the highest paid female athletes in the world,” according to the outlet.
– News’s Warner Todd Huston reported in January that in an interview with TIME, Gu, who is a “two-time gold medalist” defended her decision to compete for China, stating that “the U.S. already has the representation.”
Gu also reportedly claimed that “the potential to earn more representing Chinese companies didn’t cross her mind.”
– News also reported that Gu criticized President Donald Trump’s words about Team USA freestyle skier Hunter Hess, after Hess said it was “a little hard” for him to “wear Team USA gear.” Hess also stated that there was “a lot going on” in the United States that he wasn’t “the biggest fan of.”
In response to Trump labeling Hess a “real Loser,” Gu said she found Trump’s “critique of Hess inconsistent with the spirit of the Games.”
