Leaked Records Reveal China Paid U.S.-Born Olympians $14 Million for Representation

2026-02-15 global

Beijing, Saturday, 14 February 2026.
Scrubbed financial documents disclose that Beijing paid naturalized stars, including Eileen Gu, nearly $14 million to secure their allegiance for the 2026 Winter Games.

Fiscal Transparency Reveals State Sponsorship

A significant inadvertent disclosure in Beijing’s municipal budgeting has quantified the cost of China’s pursuit of Olympic gold. Financial records, which were briefly made public in early 2025 before being scrubbed from the internet, indicate that the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau allocated approximately $14 million (nearly 100 million yuan) over three years to U.S.-born athletes representing China [1][2]. The primary beneficiaries of this state funding were freestyle skier Eileen Gu and figure skater Zhu Yi, who were compensated for “striving for excellent results” in the lead-up to the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics [1][5]. This revelation offers a rare glimpse into the direct financial incentives provided to naturalized athletes, a strategy that has sparked considerable debate regarding the intersection of sports, nationality, and state capital [3].

The Price of Excellence

The leaked documents specifically highlighted a combined payout of $6.6 million to Gu and Zhu in 2025 alone [1][5]. This capital injection was tied explicitly to qualification efforts for the Milan Games [2]. While the budget did not detail the exact split between the two athletes, the allocation underscores a massive valuation of their potential podium contributions. However, the return on investment varies significantly between the two; while Gu is currently competing in Milan, Zhu Yi did not qualify for the 2026 Games [1]. The exposure of these figures reportedly triggered public backlash within China, leading to the rapid removal of the athletes’ names from the official budget records [2][3].

A Lucrative Portfolio

For Eileen Gu, these state payments constitute just one fraction of an immense financial portfolio. In 2025, the 22-year-old skier was ranked as the fourth-highest earning female athlete globally, accruing upwards of $23 million [1]. The disparity between her commercial value and her athletic prize money is stark; according to reports, endorsements accounted for approximately 99.913% of her income that year, with competition earnings contributing as little as $20,000 [1]. Even with higher estimates placing her competition earnings at $100,000 [2], the state subsidies represent a distinct and controversial revenue stream separate from her commercial success.

Geopolitics and Citizenship

The financial disclosures have reignited scrutiny over the citizenship status of these athletes. China strictly forbids dual citizenship, implying that Gu would have had to renounce her U.S. passport to compete for Beijing [1][3]. However, her status remains ambiguous, and the direct payment of millions from a foreign government entity to a U.S.-raised athlete adds a layer of complexity for compliance and regulatory observers [3]. Despite the controversy, Gu continues to deliver on the slopes. As of today, February 14, 2026, she has already secured a silver medal in the women’s slopestyle event in Italy, defending her podium status from Beijing [2][5]. She is scheduled to compete in two additional events: the women’s halfpipe and big air [1].

Sources

Geopolitics Sports Diplomacy