“IT’S EITHER ME OR HER” – Eileen Gu’s Ultimatum Shakes the IOC, But Alysa Liu’s 10-Word Response Forces a Historic Decision

Milano Cortina, February 23, 2026 – In the final hours of the 2026 Winter Olympics, the Games were overshadowed not by medals or records, but by an explosive public confrontation that exposed the deep geopolitical and cultural fault lines running through international sport. Eileen Gu, the 22-year-old freeski icon representing China, delivered what many are calling the most dramatic ultimatum in Olympic history during a post-Games press conference on February 22, just minutes after securing her third medal of Milano Cortina—a gold in women’s halfpipe that made her the most decorated freeski athlete in Olympic history.

Standing at the podium with visible exhaustion and emotion, Gu addressed the room in a voice that trembled with anger and resolve:

“If the baseless accusations and online hate against me continue, I’m retiring from international competition—for good.”

The statement landed like a thunderclap. Gu, who has been subjected to relentless vitriol since choosing to compete for China in Beijing 2022, listed the attacks she has endured: death threats, doxxing of her Stanford dorm, physical assault allegations, and a barrage of racist and xenophobic comments labeling her a “traitor,” “sellout,” and “CCP puppet.” She pointed specifically to the viral “Be an Alysa Liu” hashtag that exploded after American figure skater Alysa Liu won gold in women’s singles on February 20—a phrase that many interpreted as a direct comparison pitting Liu (the “loyal American”) against Gu (the “disloyal one”).

“It’s either me or her,” Gu continued, her voice cracking. “Either the IOC protects its athletes from targeted harassment based on nationality and heritage, or I walk away. I will not allow my sport, my passion, or my safety to be held hostage by hate.”

The room fell silent. Journalists exchanged stunned glances. Within minutes, clips of the ultimatum went mega-viral—over 50 million views across platforms in the first hour. Supporters in China flooded her Weibo with messages of solidarity; critics in the U.S. doubled down, accusing her of “playing the victim card” to deflect from her political choices.

But the narrative shifted dramatically just minutes later.

Alysa Liu, the 21-year-old American who had just become the first U.S. woman to win Olympic figure skating gold in 24 years, was in a separate press area when reporters rushed to her with Gu’s statement. Liu, who had been praised by American media as the “patriotic counterpoint” to Gu, took a deep breath, looked directly into the cameras, and delivered a 10-word response that would change everything:

“Choose talent over politics – the ice speaks louder than hate.”

The line was calm, measured, and devastatingly precise. In just 10 words, Liu rejected the politicized binary that had been forced upon both athletes. She did not attack Gu personally, nor did she defend the hate directed at her rival. Instead, she reframed the entire debate: sport should be about performance, not nationality or allegiance. The statement immediately went viral—#IceSpeaksLouder trended globally within minutes, garnering support from athletes across disciplines and nationalities.

The impact was instantaneous and unprecedented.

IOC President Thomas Bach, who had been monitoring the Games’ final days closely amid rising concerns over athlete safety and online abuse, issued an emergency statement less than two hours later. In it, the IOC announced:

– A formal “Athlete Protection Protocol Review” to be completed before the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games.- The creation of a dedicated “Harassment Response Task Force” with real-time monitoring of social media threats against Olympians.- A public condemnation of “targeted harassment based on nationality, ethnicity, or political choices,” explicitly referencing the vitriol directed at both Gu and Liu.- A commitment to work with platforms (X, TikTok, Instagram, Weibo) to implement faster takedown mechanisms for credible threats.

The decision marked one of the most significant policy responses to athlete online abuse in Olympic history. Bach personally called both athletes later that evening to express support, and sources say he told Gu and Liu separately: “You both represent the best of what the Olympics stand for—talent, courage, and humanity. The Games must protect you.”

The reaction was polarized but massive.

In China, Gu was hailed as a hero who stood up to Western bullying. State media ran headlines like “Eileen Gu Defends Dignity of Chinese Athletes” and “IOC Forced to Act After Gu’s Brave Ultimatum.” On Weibo, millions rallied with #ProtectEileen and #GuForever.

In the U.S., opinions split sharply. Conservative outlets praised Liu’s “classy, non-political takedown” and framed her as the “real winner” of the exchange. Progressive voices and Asian-American advocates applauded both athletes for refusing to be pitted against each other, with many calling Liu’s response “a masterclass in grace under fire.” Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, and Chloe Kim publicly supported Liu; Mikaela Shiffrin and Eileen Gu herself retweeted Liu’s quote with heart emojis, signaling mutual respect.

The IOC’s swift action was seen by many as a turning point. For years, athletes—especially women and those from minority or politically sensitive backgrounds—have endured online abuse with little institutional protection. Gu’s ultimatum, amplified by Liu’s elegant rebuttal, forced the Olympic movement to confront the issue head-on.

As the Milano Cortina flame was extinguished on February 22, the lasting image wasn’t a podium celebration, but two young women who, despite being placed on opposite sides of a geopolitical narrative, refused to let hate define their legacies. Eileen Gu walked away with three medals and a voice that could no longer be ignored. Alysa Liu walked away with gold and a 10-word statement that reminded the world what sport should stand for.

In the end, neither retired. Both chose to keep competing. But thanks to their courage and composure, future Olympians may now compete in a safer, fairer environment—one where talent truly speaks louder than hate.