Details of Olympic freestyle skier Eileen Gu‘s birth records have emerged amid ongoing criticism over her decision to compete for China.
The Olympian, 22, who can be a U.S. citizen as a consequence of her father being American, has withheld details about him in interviews.
Now, within the obtained birth certificate, the designated space for Eileen Gu’s father’s name is blank, further adding to the mystery.
Article continues below commercial
Eileen Gu’s Birth Certificate Leaves Father’s Identity Unsolved
Amid continued criticism over Eileen Gu’s decision to represent China on the Olympics, her birth records have surfaced, but they’ve done little to make clear the mystery surrounding her father.
Within the obtained certificate, the space for the daddy’s name was left blank, listing only Gu’s mother, Yan, because the identifiable parent on the time of her birth at California Pacific Medical Center on September 3, 2003.
The document also shows that Gu took her mother’s surname, further deepening the mystery surrounding her father’s identity.
At present, the one confirmed detail is that the 22-year-old’s father is American, a indisputable fact that would have made her eligible to compete for the USA on the Olympic Games.
Article continues below commercial
Some have described the athlete’s father as a Harvard graduate, although this claim has yet to be actually confirmed.
Article continues below commercial
Eileen Gu Says Her Selection To Represent China Shouldn’t Raise Eyebrows
Gu first announced that she can be representing China in 2019, ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
On the time, she described it as an “incredibly tough decision” to make, seemingly referencing the stress between the U.S. and China over her allegiance.
Since then, her alternative to represent the Asian country has continued to attract attention. In some unspecified time in the future, Vice President JD Vance weighed in, saying he hoped someone who had grown up in America would “wish to compete with the USA.”
In response, Gu said she was flattered by Vance’s remarks but emphasized that her decision to compete for China shouldn’t raise eyebrows.
Article continues below commercial
“So many athletes compete for a unique country,” she said, per People Magazine. “People only have an issue with me doing it because they type of lump China into this monolithic entity, and so they just hate China. So it’s probably not about what they think it’s about.”
“And likewise, because I win,” the athlete continued. “Like if I wasn’t doing well, I believe that they probably would not care as much, and that is OK for me. Persons are entitled to their opinions.”
Article continues below commercial
The Olympian Clapped Back At A Journalist Who Downplayed Her Silver Medals
At this 12 months’s Olympics, Gu was quite clutch, taking home gold within the halfpipe and two silver medals in other events.
Still, a journalist appeared to downplay her achievement, asking Gu during a press interview whether she saw her 2026 results as “two silvers gained or two golds lost.”
In response, Gu fired back with a lengthy rebuttal that emphasized why the query was misguided.
“I’m essentially the most decorated female freeskier in history. I believe that is a solution in and of itself,” Gu said. “How do I say this? Winning a medal on the Olympics is a life-changing experience for each athlete. Doing it five times is exponentially harder.”
Eileen Gu Called The Journalist’s Query ‘Ridiculous’
Eileen Gu went on to say that every medal that she wins is “equally hard,” then dubbed the journalist’s query “ridiculous.”
“The 2 medals lost situation, to be quite frank with you, I believe, is type of a ridiculous perspective to take. I’m showcasing my best skiing,” the Olympian noted.
She continued, “I’m doing things that quite literally have never been done before, and so I believe that’s greater than adequate, but thanks.”
Article continues below commercial
The Athlete Is One Of The Highest Paid Female Athletes
Last 12 months, Forbes named Gu certainly one of the highest-paid female athletes on the earth, including her in a prestigious list alongside tennis players Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Światek.
She reportedly earns $23 million annually, with the majority of her income coming from endorsements with brands corresponding to Red Bull, Porsche, IWC Schaffhausen, and most recently, TCL Electronics.
The sportswoman also earns from her side profession as a model and is represented by IMG Models.
Through the years, she has appeared in campaigns for brands like Victoria’s Secret, Tiffany & Co., Fendi, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton.