Hometown Halfpipe Hero: Eileen Gu leads San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade

Описание: (8 Mar 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
San Francisco - 7 March 2026
1. Chinese New Year Parade Grand Marshal Eileen Gu rides in convertible with her mother Yan, flanked by security
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Vanessa Chan, parade spectator:
"She's really wonderful, and I think not just American girls or Chinese girls I think worldwide. She's successful and she's funny, sunny, and she represents positivity and also she represents a combination of cultural infusion, if you say. So yeah, for her to lead this parade as a celebration of Chinese New Year, as a celebration of our future and also not mention that she just won more than several medals for the Olympics, I think she is an icon and I think as an observer today then I'm lucky to see her in person so close."
3. Gu waves to the crowd
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Calvin Lui, parade spectator:
"It's great, I love how she's representing the city. She's representing China and the U.S., very diverse, and you know, that's her identity in both countries, so she gets the best of both worlds."
5. Various of Gu riding down the street and spectators cheer
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Megan Chin, parade spectator:
"I think it takes a lot of guts, especially to stand on your decision, but I mean, I think some of the criticism's a little unwarranted, but I'm proud of her anyways."
7. Various of bands, floats and other groups marching down Market Street to celebrate the Year of the Horse
STORYLINE:
Olympic freestyle skiing champion Eileen Gu received a hometown welcome in San Francisco today, serving as Grand Marshal of the city’s annual Chinese New Year Festival and Parade.

The 22-year-old athlete, who was born and raised in San Francisco, rode at the head of the parade through downtown and Chinatown, one of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations outside Asia.

The event draws massive crowds each year and celebrates the city’s Chinese American heritage. 

San Francisco has the highest percentage of residents with Chinese ancestry of any major U.S. city, with more than 20% identifying as Chinese.

Gu’s appearance comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding her decision to compete for China in the Winter Olympics despite growing up in the United States.

The choice, first made in 2019, drew criticism from some Americans who questioned her loyalty, though Gu has said she hoped to inspire young athletes and expand the sport in China. 

Her appearance comes just weeks after the 2026 Winter Olympics, where she made history by winning her sixth Olympic medal, becoming the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history.

Despite the debate online, the reception in her hometown was overwhelmingly warm.

Many in San Francisco’s Chinese American community embraced Gu as a local success story and cultural figure, welcoming her back as a “daughter of the city” as she led the parade festivities ringing in the Year of the Horse. 

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