Eileen Gu Reports Physical Assault and Death Threats at Stanford University
American-born Chinese freestyle skier Eileen Gu has disclosed that she was physically assaulted on the street and received death threats at Stanford University. The 22-year-old athlete, who has won two silver medals at the ongoing Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, made these revelations in an interview with The Athletic last week. Gu attributed the hostility to her controversial decision to compete for China in international competitions rather than for Team USA.
Incident Details and Police Involvement
Gu stated explicitly, 'Physically assaulted on the street. The police were called.' She further elaborated on the severity of the situation, adding, 'I've had death threats. I've had my dorm robbed.' The skier, whose mother is from China, enrolled at Stanford in the fall of 2022. The Daily Mail sought additional comments from Stanford police and university spokespeople, who redirected inquiries to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. The Athletic reported that they did not receive a response from Stanford's public safety office regarding the incident.
University Statement and Safety Measures
A Stanford spokesperson provided a general statement to the Daily Mail, emphasizing the institution's commitment to safety without specifically addressing Gu's case. The statement read, 'Stanford University’s top priority is the safety and well-being of every member of our community. Our dedicated Department of Public Safety (DPS) is committed to creating a safe and secure environment for everyone on campus. In addition to DPS, students have multiple mechanisms through which they can report incidents of concern and receive support from the university. We take pride in the rich diversity of perspectives that thrive here and actively promote and protect the free and open exchange of ideas.'
Gu's Rationale for Competing for China
Gu has publicly explained her decision to represent China, both in The Athletic interview and on social media platforms. She highlighted her significant following in China as a key factor, stating, 'In the US growing up, I had so many idols to look up to. But in China, I feel like there are a lot fewer of those. I'd have a much greater impact in China than in the US, and that's ultimately why I made my decision.' This choice has proven financially lucrative, with Forbes reporting that Gu has earned over $23 million from endorsement deals.
Political Criticism and Vice President's Remarks
Despite her success, Gu has faced criticism from political figures, most notably from Vice President JD Vance. During a Fox News interview, Vance was questioned about whether Gu's 'status' should be reconsidered due to her decision to compete for a country with a record of human rights abuses and hostility toward the US. Vance declined to comment directly but expressed his stance, saying, 'Somebody who grew up in the United States of America, who benefited from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that make this country a great place, I would hope they would want to compete with the United States of America. So, I will root for American athletes and I think part of that is people who identify themselves as Americans. That's who I am rooting for this Olympics.'
Recent Olympic Achievements and Fan Support
Gu recently claimed her fifth career medal by winning silver in the Big Air event in Livigno, much to the delight of her adoring Chinese fans, who affectionately call her 'the Snow Princess.' This medal held special significance as it was awarded on Chinese New Year, a coincidence widely celebrated across Beijing's state media. Prior to this, on February 9, Gu secured another silver medal in the Slopestyle final, where she was narrowly edged out for gold by Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud. Born and raised in San Francisco as the daughter of a first-generation Chinese immigrant mother and an American father, Gu's athletic prowess continues to shine on the international stage despite the controversies surrounding her national allegiance.
