SCMP Originals
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

How Beijingers view Eileen Gu: Olympic medallist embraced by fans and over 23 brands in China

Gold medallist freestyle skier Eileen Gu's success at the Beijing Winter Olympics is not limited to the slopes. The US-born athlete who has been competing for China at the Games is also making millions through endorsement deals with at least 23 brands in the country. While some online users have been questioning​​ her nationality since China does not allow dual citizenship, many fans in Beijing were eager to share their thoughts with the SCMP when asked about the free ski superstar.

February 16, 2022
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The gold medal winning performance by China’s Gao Tingyu in Beijing on February 12, 2022, was also the eighth speed skating record to be broken at the current Winter Games. Canadian icemaker Mark...02:03
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Records shattered on Olympic Ice
February 15, 2022
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Beijing was hit by a rare blizzard on February 13, 2022, even as the Chinese capital continues to host the Winter Olympics. With the city blanketed by heavy snow, local residents braved freezing...01:06
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
How Beijingers enjoy a snow day
February 14, 2022
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Family and friends of Chinese speed skater Gao Tingyu watched him sprint to the finish line to secure a gold medal on February 13, 2022, for China’s fourth gold medal. The Olympic host country has...01:40
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Support for Chinese Olympian winners
February 14, 2022
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China’s enthusiasm for the Beijing Winter Olympics panda mascot continues to spread across the country as the Games entered their second week. Some eager fans who have not been able to get their...02:24
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
China’s growing Olympic mascot craze
February 11, 2022
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Described as airborne hospitals, China’s helicopter ambulance service has been put into action to handle an emergency rescue during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.  China set up the...01:36
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
China’s Olympic air ambulances
February 11, 2022
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A Russian figure skater has tested positive for a banned substance, according to Russian media. Kamila Valieva, 15, was part of the ensemble that won the figure skating team’s event on February 7,...02:02
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Russian skating gold under scrutiny
February 10, 2022
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China’s obsession with Beijing Winter Olympic panda mascot Bing Dwen Dwen has seen factories increase supply of Games merchandise. Many stores and online websites have run out of stock of the panda...02:15
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Factories crank out Olympic mascot
February 10, 2022
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South Korean politicians have accused China of laying claim to their nation’s culture after a performer at the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics wore a traditional Korean hanbok dress. The...01:37
South Korea
Cultural appropriation hanbok at the Olympics
February 10, 2022
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Many in China are celebrating after “snow princess” Eileen Gu took gold in the freeski big air event at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The US-born 18-year-old nailed an improbable double cork...03:30
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
China lauds Eileen Gu gold
February 9, 2022
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As sporting events unfold at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, a Chinese craftsman is continuing his months-long task of making exquisite miniature models of the athletes and architecture at the...01:42
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Mini models of big Olympic moments
February 9, 2022
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China’s US-born figure skater Zhu Yi burst into tears on the ice during her latest Winter Olympics routine on February 8, 2022. The 19-year-old faced intensified criticism online as she finished...02:10
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Zhu Yi cries during routine
February 8, 2022
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Bing Dwen Dwen, the chubby panda mascot of the Beijing Winter Olympics, has won over millions of fans after the Games kicked off on February 4, 2022. Souvenirs featuring the mascot have been...02:16
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Buying spree for Olympic panda mascot
February 7, 2022
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Eileen Feng Gu, also known as Gu Ailing, is China’s biggest hope for a medal haul at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. The US-born freestyle skier opted to represent China over Team USA when...02:20
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Chinese ski star Eileen Gu
February 7, 2022
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At the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, anti-Covid-19 measures are being taken extremely seriously. Inside Olympic venues, bartenders, waiters and hotel staff wear full personal protective equipment (PPE...01:57
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Bartenders in PPE? Olympic Covid measures
February 4, 2022
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Several human rights groups in New York City and Washington staged protests against the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 3, 2022, hours before the opening ceremony was scheduled to take place in...01:45
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Protests in US before Beijing Olympics
February 4, 2022
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Locked behind closed gates, required to undertake daily PCR tests, and doing non-stop disinfection is all part of the daily routine for athletes, media and staff inside the “closed loop” bubble at...03:40
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Inside Beijing’s Winter Olympic bubble
February 4, 2022
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The final rehearsal for the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games was held at Beijing’s National Stadium also known as the Bird’s Nest on February 3, 2022. Cold weather and coronavirus...01:14
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Beijing holds final rehearsal for Winter Games opening ceremony
February 4, 2022
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Skier Arif Mohammad Khan is the only athlete who will be representing India at the Beijing Winter Olympics as they open on February 4, 2022. India has sent only 15 athletes to compete in Winter...01:56
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
India’s only Beijing Olympian
February 3, 2022
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From Xi Jinping securing a record third term as president, to the country signalling a shift away from its zero-Covid policy, 2022 was a momentous year for China. Here is a look back at the biggest...11:42
Coronavirus China
China’s biggest news events of 2022
December 28, 2022
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China wrapped up the 2022 Winter Olympics with a closing ceremony on Sunday, February 20, 2022. The ceremony took place at the Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest. Norway,...00:39
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics closing ceremony
February 21, 2022
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Eileen Gu won her second Olympic gold medal in the women’s freeski half-pipe final on February 18, 2022. It is China’s first ever Winter Olympic gold medal in this event and the eighth gold medal...01:29
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Gu wins her second gold
February 18, 2022