Chinese authorities censor $6.6 million training budget document for US-born athletes Eileen Gu and Beverly Zhu ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
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| China removes details of $6.6 million budget for athletes Eileen Gu and Beverly Zhu, after they switched allegiance to China ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Image Courtesy: BP |
Beijing, China — February 26, 2025:
Chinese authorities have removed a document detailing a $6.6 million allocation for the training of two U.S.-born athletes, Eileen Gu and Beverly Zhu, ahead of the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics, reports BP.
The document, originally published by the Beijing city government, revealed plans to invest 48.14 million yuan to support the training of freestyle skier Gu and figure skater Zhu. Both athletes, born in the United States, switched allegiance to China before the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Gu, a double-Olympic gold medallist, became a national hero with her success, while Zhu faced significant backlash following her subpar performance.
Though the document remained visible on the Beijing government website on Wednesday morning, all references to Gu and Zhu were swiftly erased. Furthermore, the independent Chinese financial magazine Caixin's coverage of the document was also deleted, as reported by the censorship monitoring organization China Digital Times (CDT). The funds were designated as “assurance expenditure for the competition training of talented athletes.” The document explicitly stated that Gu and Zhu would continue representing Beijing in future competitions.
China has increasingly relied on naturalizing foreign-born athletes to bolster its national teams, particularly in sports like ice hockey and football. However, this practice has sparked controversy, as it goes against the country's minimal inward migration and strict dual nationality laws. Gu's citizenship has been a particularly contentious topic, as she has repeatedly avoided confirming whether she has renounced her American passport in favor of a Chinese one.
The censorship of this $6.6 million training budget highlights the sensitivity surrounding foreign-born athletes representing China, especially given the political implications of nationality and allegiance in international sports.