She’s the extremely talented 18-year-old freestyle skier who won multiple golds at the 2022 Winter Olympics. The issue Americans have with her? She skis for China, even though she was born and raised in the U.S. But ethnically, she is Chinese, and she spent at least one-third of her childhood years in China. Still, on American social media, she’s been dubbed as “ungrateful” and a “traitor” for her decision to compete for China since Dec. 2019.

Although she hasn’t disclosed the exact reasoning behind her decision or her citizenship status, one thing’s for sure: it’s her choice, and it really doesn’t matter why. All of Gu’s successes stem from her dedication, talent and sacrifices, as well as that of her mother, a former ski-instructor.

Who carried the heavy financial burden of Gu’s training throughout her childhood? Gu’s single mother, Yan. Who drove her hours every weekend to the mountains at Lake Tahoe when Gu was younger to help her practice? Yan did. Who had the drive to continue training despite countless setbacks? Gu did. Exactly. Neither Team USA nor Team China can be attributed for her prosperity, so she has no “obligation” to compete for anyone.

China made an exception for Gu regarding their rule on the prohibition of its athletes holding dual nationalities. People were outraged over the “special treatment,” but is it really special treatment? At her level of talent and skill, it’s reasonable to think that teams would bend rules for her, in hopes of recruiting her for their team.

Additionally, it’s easy to see the financial benefits Gu gains when she’s with China. In addition to the millions she’s paid for her performance in the Olympics, she’s financially skyrocketed as a model in China, signing endorsements with luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Cadillac, Tiffany & Co and Victoria’s Secret. In 2021 alone, she raked in 31 million dollars from all of the publicity surrounding her. But if she had stayed with America, would her opportunities have been as plentiful? Probably not. In China, citizens refer to her affectionately as the “snow princess,” not only boosting her popularity as an athlete, but also as an advertiser for big brands. It’s highly unlikely that she could’ve been such a big hit here in the U.S.

Another point to consider is China’s Olympic men’s hockey team. It includes many athletes who have obtained citizenship through naturalization. One of them is Jake Chelios, a white American citizen that has absolutely zero ancestral connections to China. In fact, his father is the famous American NHL player Chris Chelios, another white man.

Now, where is the hate for him? If you do a quick Google search on Eileen Gu, derogatory accusations flood the screen, along with articles from established publications bashing every aspect of her life. However, if you do the same for Chelios, the headlines are much more neutral, and they focus more instead on Chelios’ experience and transition to the Chinese team. This is evidence that the hate concerning Gu is not even so much about her so-called unpatriotic actions, but it’s more so pure misogyny and racism. It is yet one more example of the specialized treatment white men receive, contrary to the treatment women of color receive.

Although China and U.S. relations are currently not at their most peaceful moment, it isn’t right to tie athletes to political issues. Instead, why can we not just perceive her as an athlete doing what she loves and is extremely good at? Why is a teenager getting so much hate competing for a country that she is strongly tied to? It’s the land of her mother and her ancestors.

Instead of complaining about her actions, remember that the Olympics were created for a period of world peace. Leave it alone and let her make her own decisions. She knows what’s best for herself.