There is no doubt that the Olympics have their share of drama. Some watch and marvel at the sheer athleticism and skill. Some do look for those telling moments.

I remember my first glimpse of this drama in 1988 when skiing legend (some of it in his own mind, apparently), Alberto Tomba approached Katarina Witt with roses and an autographed poster of himself to get subsequently brushed off for the whole world to see. This year’s Winter Games was no exception to drama. There were American freestyle ski bums acting like boneheads on open mic. Olympic Village ran out of condoms.

This year, one of those telling moments began with a tale of two Chinese Americans. There’s Gold Medalist, Alysa Liu and Silver Medalist, Eileen Gu. Liu’s father was in Tiananmen Square in the spring and summer of 1989.

I refused to provide them any more names of students who had participated in the organization of the demonstrations. I was going to take full responsibility for everything that had happened since at one time I was elected the President of the Guangzhou Autonomous Student Union of Universities.”-Arthur Liu

Arthur Liu stated that going to prison was “just a matter of time”. His daughter, called him brave and persistent.

Liu did not do well in Beijing in 2022. Liu took a temporary hiatus from the ice, feeling defeated and returning only in 2024. Her performance and comeback was stunning and on-point:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCrFaRsezGo

And she crushed it off the ice, too. Embodying the Olympic spirit in a warm embrace with her fellow competitors from Japan:

This is the beauty of sport.

Sakamoto embraces Alysa Liu after a brilliant free skate.

Whatever happens with the scores, this is a top moment of the evening. pic.twitter.com/TAzgf3ZCIJ

— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) March 29, 2025

She did her thing. On her terms. As an American.

I didn’t need a medal. If I fell on every jump, I would still be out there wearing this dress, so no matter what, I was all good.”-Alysa Liu

One may wonder why Alysa Liu, and Eileen Gu, both born to Chinese immigrants, are so different in their approach. Alysa refused to skate for China when they came to recruit. Eileen, on the other hand, went all in on the slopes and grabbed her millions.

Here’s all you need to know about Gu. She was born in San Francisco. Her mother had immigrated to the U.S. from China. She’s a competitive freestyle skier who went to Stanford University in Northern California. In 2019, right before the Wuhan flu took the world by storm, she switched her competitive allegiances from the USA to China. Not that the Olympics and the Wuhan virus are related, but it’s just a reminder that China sucks.

So far this year, she’s won two silver medals for China — not what she hoped for. In 2022, in front of a ‘hometown’ crowd in Beijing, Gu won two gold medals and a silver medal for her fellow commies.”-Tim O’Brien, PJ Media

And then, she said this when a reporter asked her how she put her two silver medals from this week into perspective:

I’m the most decorated female freeskier in history. I think that’s an answer in and of itself.”-Eileen Gu

She grew up here , went to Stanford and then decided to represent China because she visited there in summers . Typical Lefist .

— Henry F (@HFirely) February 19, 2026

Not sure if President Xi likes silver “decorations” as much as he likes gold, Eileen…but whatevs on that one, babe. You rock on with yo’ bad self.

The Chinese are annoyed she didn't win a Gold. After these games are over, her popularity there will be knocked down a peg. This is probably the last we'll see of her like this. Karma's a bitch.

— Luann Lakemeyer (@luann_lakemeyer) February 19, 2026

She can go stay in China for all we care.

Time for "Gu Gone" it gets rid of crud!!😂😂😂😂

— Diane (@whynotseeiftrue) February 19, 2026

Here’s more perspective for Eileen and her fans (I’m sure there still are a few who think she is “stunning and brave”). Liu’s actions and Gu’s comments are of stark contrast from two individuals from very similar cultural backgrounds. One is a grateful, joyful, carefree, humble, human being and the other is a pompous, egotistical, arrogant, insufferable little twit in every sense of the words. The resilient warrior and the spoiled little brat. The winners and the smug, sore losers. The victors and the victims. America, God Bless, breeds two types.

Today, be an Alysa Liu. And, be grateful for this country that is full of opportunity for that rugged individualism. Every day of it is a gift. Every day is a choice.

Featured Photo Credit: Jaybeeinbigd22, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons/Cropped