Two U.S.-born athletes competing for China within the Winter Olympics had vastly totally different reactions to their latest performances on the video games. The nation celebrated freestyle skier Eileen Gu's gold medal win, whereas determine skater Zhu Yi confronted backlash on Chinese language social media over her poor displaying.

The 2 athletes with connections to each China and the U.S. have been within the highlight this week on the video games, whose lead-up was marked by tensions between the nations. Amongst different points, the U.S. has accused China of committing genocide in opposition to the ethnic Uyghurs and seen governmental resistance to efforts to analyze the coronavirus's origins.

On Tuesday, Gu positioned first throughout her massive air competitors, which led to Chinese language social media web site Weibo being overwhelmed. The favored platform's servers have been briefly overloaded as Gu grew to become half of the highest 10 trending matters following her massive win, the Related Press reported.

"Gu Ailing is a genius younger girl proper?" was a trending matter that referenced her Chinese language identify, the AP mentioned.

"Dad was Harvard, Mother was Peking College, Stanford, Grandmother was an athlete. She's lovely and stylish," mentioned one publish, which was seen about 86,000 instances.

The response was a lot totally different for an additional U.S. athlete who competed for China after giving up her U.S. citizenship to take action. Zhu was below assault on social media following her efficiency within the staff figure-skating competitors. Within the quick program, Zhu crashed into the wall, and he or she positioned final within the free skate program after she had a number of falls, after which she broke down in tears.

Her efficiency knocked China out of the bronze medal place, and the staff in the end completed fifth. The Russian staff gained the occasion, with the U.S. taking silver and Japan successful the bronze.

"I am upset and just a little embarrassed," Zhu mentioned after her efficiency, in keeping with Reuters. "I suppose I felt lots of stress as a result of I do know everyone in China was fairly stunned with the choice for girls' singles, and I simply actually wished to indicate them what I used to be capable of do, however sadly I did not."

Customers on Weibo did not maintain again on their disappointment with Zhu's efficiency. The hashtag #ZhuYiFellOver had 230 million views earlier than being deactivated. One other hashtag, #ZhuYiMessedUp, stays lively with over 80 million views, France 24 reported.

"That is such a shame," one commenter on Weibo wrote.

"Zhu Yi, how ridiculous your efficiency is!" one other consumer mentioned, in keeping with USA At the moment. "How dare you skate for China? You can't even maintain a candle to an beginner!"

Weibo ended up suspending a minimum of 93 accounts and deleted 300 posts about Zhu containing vicious feedback, the AP reported. Zhu instructed the Xinhua Information Company on Monday she felt stress studying the tough feedback on Chinese language social media.

"I wished to show myself as a result of I did not accomplish that nicely yesterday and what everybody mentioned on the web actually affected me," she mentioned. "I've educated very exhausting. The issue now could be psychological. I'll attempt to not be affected by the surface world."

Zhu Yi Reacts After Olympic Performance
Two American-born athletes competing for China acquired radically totally different reactions from Chinese language social media to their performances on the Winter Olympics. Above, Zhu Yi reacts after competing within the girls's single skating free skating of the determine skating staff occasion Monday. Wang Zhao/ AFP/Getty Pictures

Replace 02/08/2022, 10:45 a.m. ET: This story was up to date with extra background and knowledge.