Why will Eileen Gu, an America-born skier become China’s hottest idol in 2022 | Following the yuan

Since obtaining a Chinese citizenship, the 18-year-old San Francisco native has bagged more than 2 dozens brand deals. Now China expects her to strike 3 gold medals, that is x3 of its result in 2018.

Eileen Gu in Paris for Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2022 show. Instagram

Eileen Gu (谷爱凌), an 18-year-old freeskier who was born in the United States and decided to compete for China in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, is set to be the country’s hottest idol this year.

The reasons are obvious. She ticks every box that China wants:

• Her choice to naturalize …