Grand marshal of San Francisco parade Eileen Gu blasted by Republicans

California Republicans are blasting San Francisco–born Olympic star Eileen Gu after the freestyle skier acquired a hero’s welcome through the metropolis’s annual Chinese language New Yr Competition and Parade, with critics accusing the celebration of honoring an athlete who selected to compete for China as an alternative of america.

The Monterey County Republican Occasion ignited the backlash after sharing video on X exhibiting Gu being greeted by large crowds in San Francisco following her efficiency on the 2026 Winter Olympics.

“SF cleans up properly for the CCP,” the group wrote in a publish accompanying the footage, referring to China’s ruling authorities, the Chinese language Communist Occasion.

Gu, who was born and raised in San Francisco however competes internationally for China, has lengthy drawn scrutiny from critics who query her resolution to signify Beijing on the world stage regardless of her American upbringing.

The controversy resurfaced after Gu appeared as a grand marshal throughout San Francisco’s annual Lunar New Yr parade, one of many largest Lunar New Yr celebrations outdoors Asia.

Hundreds of spectators lined the streets as floats, lion dancers, and marching teams made their manner from downtown into Chinatown in a colourful celebration of Chinese language tradition and heritage. Firecrackers popped all through the procession as performers in conventional costumes waved to cheering crowds.

Gu appeared halfway via the parade in a purple convertible embellished with flowers, carrying a purple gown — a coloration related to prosperity and luck through the vacation.

Parade organizers stated the Olympic champion was chosen months prematurely to function grand marshal.

William Gee, one of many parade’s organizers, stated Gu was chosen earlier than the Winter Video games due to her affect and connection to the area people.

“The Yr of the Horse brings new vitality and new life,” Gee stated. “She represents Chinese language heritage and he or she’s an icon for a lot of younger individuals.”

Gu’s Olympic success has helped elevate her profile around the globe. She has turn into probably the most embellished freestyle skiers in Olympic historical past, incomes a number of medals on the Winter Video games whereas turning into a worldwide superstar and model ambassador.

However her resolution to compete for China — a selection she introduced as an adolescent — has repeatedly sparked debate in america.

Supporters say the criticism misses the purpose of her multicultural background.

Vanessa Chan of close by South San Francisco stated Gu represents a mix of cultures that resonates with many within the Bay Space.

“She’s actually fantastic,” Chan stated whereas attending the parade. “She’s humorous, sunny, and he or she represents positivity.”

One other attendee, Megan Chin, stated the assaults towards Gu are unfair and ignore the realities of rising up between cultures.

“If you’re multicultural and also you wish to rejoice each heritages, it’s nice to be completely happy for somebody in the event that they wish to rejoice their different heritage as effectively,” Chin stated. “I’m happy with her.”

Others echoed comparable sentiments, saying Gu embodies the twin identification shared by many households within the area.

Calvin Lui, who attended the parade together with his younger son, stated he appreciated the athlete representing each her hometown and her heritage.

“That’s her identification,” Lui stated. “Each nations — so she will get the very best of each worlds.”

San Francisco’s Chinese language New Yr parade, first organized within the 1860s by Chinese language immigrants through the Gold Rush period, stays one of many metropolis’s most celebrated cultural traditions.

However this yr’s festivities — meant to rejoice the Lunar New Yr and the Yr of the Horse — have additionally reignited the political debate surrounding one of many Bay Space’s most well-known athletes.

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