China Paid Eileen Gu Millions, Then Hid Budget Details

Reports say China gave skier Eileen Gu more than $6.6 million for her training in 2025. This information was in a public budget but later taken down. Eileen Gu earns most of her money from ads, not from sports.
By Newsroom | Sports, China |

Reports indicate that China allocated significant funds in 2025 for the training of US-born Olympic athlete Eileen Gu. This allocation, initially appearing in a public budget, was subsequently obscured, raising questions about transparency. The total reported sum is substantial, further augmenting Gu's already considerable earnings from endorsements.

Communist China Reportedly Paid US-Born Olympic Skier Eileen Gu This Enormous Amount in 2025 - 1

Financial Disclosure and Subsequent Redaction

In early 2025, a public budget document surfaced, detailing planned expenditures for athlete training.

Communist China Reportedly Paid US-Born Olympic Skier Eileen Gu This Enormous Amount in 2025 - 2

  • This document reportedly included a budget of over $6.6 million specifically for the training of two American-born winter athletes representing China.

  • Eileen Gu, a freestyle skier and double Olympic gold medalist, was identified as one of the beneficiaries.

  • Shortly after its release, the mention of Gu and the other athlete was removed from the document on the Beijing government website.

This redaction has fueled speculation regarding the financial arrangements between the Chinese state and Gu.

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Communist China Reportedly Paid US-Born Olympic Skier Eileen Gu This Enormous Amount in 2025 - 3

Gu's Financial Portfolio

Eileen Gu's earnings extend far beyond athletic stipends, with a diverse range of commercial ventures.

Communist China Reportedly Paid US-Born Olympic Skier Eileen Gu This Enormous Amount in 2025 - 4

  • She has secured endorsements with prominent global brands, including Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Porsche, Red Bull, and IWC Schaffhausen.

  • While specific figures from the reported 2025 budget are unclear, the funds were described as a "windfall" that boosted her existing income.

  • One report estimates her annual earnings to be around $23 million, with only a small fraction, approximately $100,000, derived directly from her sport.

This significant commercial success is partly attributed to her appeal in both American and Chinese markets, stemming from her dual heritage.

Citizenship and Representation Questions

Gu's decision to compete for China, despite being born and raised in the United States, has been a recurring point of discussion.

  • China's policy generally prohibits dual citizenship, and Gu has consistently declined to comment on whether she has relinquished her U.S. passport.

  • She made her Olympic debut for China in 2022, winning gold in women's freeski big air and halfpipe, and silver in slopestyle.

  • Her athletic career for China includes multiple Olympic medals.

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The circumstances surrounding her allegiance and the financial transparency related to her representation continue to be subjects of public and media interest.

Expert Analysis

"The redaction of financial details concerning athletes, particularly those with international profiles, can lead to perceptions of opacity. For athletes like Gu, whose commercial value is intertwined with their national representation, the clarity of financial disclosures becomes paramount in public trust." - Anonymous Source, Public Policy Analyst

The financial figures, though substantial, are presented as part of a broader endorsement and commercial strategy. Gu's ability to leverage her unique background has positioned her as a highly marketable figure, with a significant portion of her income originating from endorsements rather than direct athletic compensation from the state.

Conclusion and Implications

The reported allocation of over $6.6 million for Eileen Gu's training in 2025, coupled with the subsequent removal of her name from public budget records, raises concerns about financial transparency in athlete support. While Gu has built a substantial personal fortune through a wide array of endorsements, the specifics of state funding remain subject to scrutiny. Her decision to represent China, a country with strict citizenship laws, alongside these financial questions, contributes to the ongoing public discourse surrounding her career. The information control measures, such as the redaction of budget details, may be intended to manage public perception but inadvertently draw more attention to the financial arrangements.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much money did China give Eileen Gu for training?
Reports say China gave Eileen Gu over $6.6 million for training in 2025. This was part of a budget for athletes.
Q: Why were the budget details removed?
The part of the budget that mentioned Eileen Gu and another athlete was removed from the government website. People are asking why this happened.
Q: Does Eileen Gu earn money from sports?
Eileen Gu makes most of her money from advertisements and deals with many companies. She earns much more from these than from her sport.
Q: Who is Eileen Gu?
Eileen Gu is a skier who was born in the U.S. but competes for China. She has won Olympic gold medals for China.