San Francisco did what San Francisco does, putting Eileen Gu out front at its Chinese New Year Parade and treating her like a hometown headliner, even though the San Francisco-born skier has spent her biggest Olympic moments competing for Team China.
American fans have deemed her a traitor for the switch.
The event happened Saturday when Gu served as Grand Marshal for the San Francisco Chinese New Year celebrations and parade.
Gu was the featured name, and she addressed the honor beforehand, calling it "a special thing" to be Grand Marshal and saying it meant something to be part of the celebration.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 7: Olympic medalist Eileen Gu greets the crowd during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, California, United States on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Tayfun CoÅkun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Gu also leaned on the local angle, recalling going to the parade with her family and remembering her mother and grandmother cooking together at home.
That hometown framing is exactly why her appearance is controversial.
Gu is an American-born, American-raised athlete who chose to represent Team China at the Winter Games, and that decision continues to draw ire from U.S. sports fans who see it as a money-first switch.
LIVIGNO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 16: Silver medalist Ailing Eileen Gu of Team People's Republic of China smiles whilst holding her Faction skis and wearing her national flag during the medal ceremony for the Women's Freeski Big Air on day ten of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Snow Park on February 16, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Gu has publicly defended her decision to compete for China.
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