Former NBA Star Enes Kanter Freedom Brands Eileen Gu a 'Traitor' Over Olympic Representation
Freestyle skiing superstar Eileen Gu, who has captured global attention with her athletic prowess and modeling career, finds herself at the center of a heated political controversy once again. The 22-year-old athlete, born in San Francisco to a Chinese mother, is competing for China at her second consecutive Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, where she has already secured two silver medals, with the halfpipe event still ahead. This follows her remarkable performance in 2022, where she clinched two gold medals and a silver, solidifying her status as an international sports icon.
Conservative Criticism Intensifies Over Gu's Decision
On Wednesday, former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom escalated the often-conservative backlash against Gu during an appearance on Fox News. In a fiery exchange with host Laura Ingraham, Freedom declared, "I'm just going to say it. She's a traitor." He elaborated, "She was born in America. She was raised in America, lives in America, and chooses to compete against her own country for, literally, the worst human rights abuser on the planet, China." Freedom, who added "Freedom" to his name after becoming a U.S. citizen in 2021, has been a vocal critic of human rights abuses in China, drawing from his own experiences as a former Turkish citizen who faced passport revocation by Turkey in 2017 due to his political activism.
Freedom argued that Gu built her fame in a free country only to represent an authoritarian regime, a sentiment that has echoed through conservative circles. However, it is important to note that Gu is not alone in competing for a country other than her birthplace; several U.S.-born athletes have done the same, including Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who was born in Oslo but represents Brazil and has been celebrated during the Games.
Gu's Defense and the Broader Debate
Before the Olympics, Gu addressed her choice to represent China, telling Newsweek, "The U.S. already has the representation. I like building my own pond." She also dismissed speculation that financial incentives played a role, stating, "I'm glad that there's enough money in the sport now for people to think that's a consideration." Gu's defenders have suggested that racism and Sinophobia may be factors in the disproportionate criticism she faces compared to other athletes in similar situations.
The controversy has drawn comments from high-profile figures, including Vice President JD Vance. When asked by Fox News' Martha MacCallum about Gu's status, Vance responded diplomatically at first, saying, "Well, look, I have no idea what her status should be. I think that's ultimately up to the Olympics Committee. I won't pretend to wade into that." However, he later added, "I certainly think that 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 that they want to compete with the United States of America." Vance concluded by stating he would root for athletes who identify as Americans.
International Fame and Financial Implications
Gu's rise to fame has been meteoric, with reports indicating she earns tens of millions of dollars annually from endorsements and modeling, including support from the Chinese government. Her success on the slopes, combined with her marketability, has made her a polarizing figure in discussions about national loyalty and global sports politics. As she continues to compete, the debate over athlete representation and identity in international competitions shows no signs of abating, highlighting the complex interplay between sports, politics, and personal choice in today's interconnected world.
