Eileen Gu’s Success Much Bigger Than A Flag…

As we close the Olympic Games I got into a conversation with a colleague about the success of Eileen Gu, the place those of different countries who train in America, and the debate the Vice President of the US stirred in Milan over Gu’s choice to represent China and her ancestral ties vs. the U.S.

To be clear, the Vice President’s remarks were his opinion, what he believes, and he is entitled to that. They were…

“I certainly think that somebody who grew up in the United States of America, who benefited from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that make this country a great place, I would hope that they want to compete with the United States of America.”

Gu did a solid job of playing off the comments and moved on to almost unprecedented success in the Games, which will continue to improve her status in the business world for all the reasons why we support champions, especially those who exude that quality of joy we hope to derive from their success.

What was interesting around the soundbite was a glossed over fact…there are more opportunities for success for athletes than there are spots on any US Olympic team (which is one of the only organizations in the world NOT funded by a standing government by the way)…so fitting within the rules of the country you represent is actually a platform to tell the stories, and perhaps the success, of thousands of athletes who call US home but for various reasons represent other nations. Track stars from the Virgin Islands, bobsledders from Isreal, basketball players from The Dominican Republic, what about baseball players in the upcoming World Baseball Classic or even someone like Karl Anthony Towns playing on the World team during the recent NBA All-Star Game all find a way to play on the biggest stages where they have not just domestic, but ethnic pride. Now is China more of a flashpoint because of the success Gu has had? Yes. That does not make her success any less marketable, nor should the way she approaches her craft be any less impressive.

Maybe it “hurt” the US medal count, but it didn’t hurt the fans who watched, the brands she works with, the causes she supports, or her familial bonds.

The sound biting and reframing of opinions is here to stay. That can’t be helped. It is doubtful that we will be able in the current climate to climb above us vs “them” for many people.

However, none of that can detract from the success of a young Olympian, one whose success is worthy of praise and in the biggest international gathering we have, that is what we should champion and support as much as where she stands with a flag on the podium.

Her story of honoring her grandmother and understanding her heritage is a lesson to learn, and one which we might dispute but should respect. It hurt no one on Team USA (it actually opened a spot for another athlete to compete), and was a case of another unique story reaching an audience because of the Games that we might never have known.

For that, and for the joy she brings to her craft, we should be happy enough and check the politics at the door.