She is a sensation in China (where her mother was born) and a sensation -- but also a cultural touchstone -- in the United States (where she was born). That she competes for China -- not the United States, where she was raised, resides, and, until the 2018-19 season, was a member of the U.S. In soccer, the United States men's national team, like most national federations, actively recruits foreign-born dual nationals to play on its squad. In reality, Eileen Gu competes, first, foremost and perhaps exclusively, not for a country but for Eileen Gu. Some wonder how this is even possible, since China doesn't offer dual citizenship and, to our knowledge, Gu has never renounced U.S. citizenship.