Alysa Liu isn’t afraid to speak her mind, even when it comes to one of the most debated storylines of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
In an interview with The New York Times shared on Friday, March 6, the 20-year-old figure skater defended fellow Olympian Eileen Gu, who has faced criticism for representing China in international competition despite being born in the United States.
Gu, 22, has long explained that her decision was rooted in honoring her mother’s heritage and helping grow the sport in China. Still, the move sparked backlash, with critics—including politicians and some athletes—calling her choice unpatriotic.
Liu, however, says the criticism doesn’t sit right with her. “I’ve known Eileen since I was 13 or something,” Liu said. “We’re from the Bay Area. She’s super nice, and her mom is from China.”
The Olympic gold medalist didn’t stop there, calling out what she sees as a double standard in the conversation surrounding Gu’s decision. “I think people are hypocritical for shaming her for representing China. So in my head it’s a bit hypocritical, because her mom is an immigrant. Y’all would have told her to go back to China. Now that they’re back in China, you’re mad.”
READ MORE: Alysa Liu Says Her Dad ‘Didn’t Deserve to be Happy’ Over Skating Comeback in Bold Interview
For Liu, the issue ultimately comes down to what sport is supposed to represent. “And it’s sport. It doesn’t matter what country we represent. Sport is sport, and she has a love for competition, she has love for the game. I think that’s all that matters. There’s no shame in going where the opportunity is.”
Gu herself remained confident throughout the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, even clapping back at a reporter who questioned whether her finishes should be seen as missed opportunities.
Liu’s comments reflect a pattern of the young athlete speaking openly about difficult topics. Earlier this month, she also addressed tensions with her father, Arthur Liu, who played a major role in her early skating career. When asked about his reaction to her comeback, Liu admitted she wasn’t concerned with his opinion. “I didn’t care that he was happy,” she said. “I was almost mad that he was happy, because I was like, ‘How dare you?’”
Her father previously revealed that he spent close to $1 million dollars on Alysa’s skating career, saying he “spared no money, no time,” and that he “just saw talent.”