Beijing Accidentally Discloses $6.6 Million Training Funds for 2 US-born Chinese Athletes

A recent public budget document from the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau inadvertently disclosed substantial government funding allocated to two US-born athletes competing for China: freestyle skier Eileen Gu (Gu Ailing) and figure skater Zhu Yi (Beverly Zhu). The revelation, which surfaced in early 2025 and was quickly amended, showed approximately 48.14 million yuan (around $6.6 million) designated for their training and competition support ahead of the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.

The funds were listed under "assurance expenditure for the competition training of talented athletes" and were intended to be shared between Gu and Zhu, though the document did not specify individual breakdowns. Reports suggest Gu, a three-time medalist from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics (two golds and one silver), likely received the larger portion given her prominence and success. Over the past three years, similar allocations totaled nearly 100 million yuan (about $14 million) for the pair, highlighting significant state investment in their preparation for international events.

The disclosure sparked surprise and criticism on Chinese social media, particularly amid economic pressures and tighter budgets for public services like education and healthcare. Netizens questioned the scale of support for athletes perceived as having "parachuted in" from abroad, with some comparing the amount to funding needs in other sectors. Discussions and related articles were swiftly censored on platforms like Weibo and WeChat, and the original budget entry was edited to remove the athletes' names, replacing them with a generic reference to "outstanding athletes" from the city.

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This incident underscores the sensitive nature of state funding for naturalized or allegiance-switched athletes in China, where such investments aim to bolster national sports prestige but can draw scrutiny when made public. Eileen Gu, who grew up in the United States and continues to train partly abroad while maintaining strong commercial endorsements, has faced ongoing debates about her citizenship status and loyalties. Zhu Yi, who renounced her US citizenship to compete for China, has also encountered public attention tied to past performances.

The brief exposure of these details, first reported by outlets including The Wall Street Journal and amplified in international media, has reignited conversations about transparency in sports funding and the strategic use of resources to attract top talent. As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, the episode serves as a reminder of the geopolitical and financial dimensions involved in elite athletics, particularly for athletes bridging two nations. Authorities have not issued formal comments on the allocations or the subsequent redactions.

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