San Francisco-born freestyle skier Eileen Gu, who competes for China, served as grand marshal for the annual Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco on March 7, 2026.[1][2]

Gu, 22, spoke to KGO-TV ahead of the event, describing the honor as special and reminiscing about attending the parade with her family as a child, as well as her mother and grandmother preparing traditional meals.[1]

"This is a special thing to be grand marshal, and be part of it," Gu said.[1]

The three-time Olympic medalist said her primary goal is to maximize positive global impact through sport, fashion and education.[1][3]

In an Instagram post last week, Gu reflected on her 2019 decision at age 15 to represent China, after one season with the U.S. team.[1][4] She noted spending summers in China since age 8 organizing ski camps and cited the opportunity to grow the sport ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, where she won gold in big air and silver in halfpipe.[3][5]

Gu wrote that her choice has helped inspire more girls in freeskiing in China and worldwide, stating, "Three golds and six medals later, I can confidently say what was once a dream is now a reality."[1]

Gu, born in San Francisco on September 3, 2003, to a Chinese mother and American father, began skiing at age 3 and holds dual citizenship.[3][4]

Sources

1. Fox News Digital
   "Eileen Gu reflects on decision to leave Team USA for China"
   March 8, 2026
   https://www.foxnews.com/sports/eileen-gu-chinese-new-year-parade-san-francisco
2. Associated Press
   "Olympic gold medalist and grand marshal Eileen Gu waves during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco"
   March 7, 2026
   https://apnews.com/article/eileen-gu-chinese-new-year-parade-san-francisco-2026
3. Olympics.com
   "Eileen Gu - Olympic Athlete Profile"
   Accessed October 2024
   https://olympics.com/en/athletes/eileen-gu
4. Wikipedia
   "Eileen Gu"
   Accessed October 2024
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eileen_Gu
5. Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS)
   "Gu Eileen - Athlete Biography"
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/athlete-biography.html?sectorcode=FS&competitorid=180725