However, when shared on mainland social media by Chinese news outlets, reception to Gu’s video took a turn amid widespread discussion of Gu’s citizenship status, with some questioning her true nationality.

Netizens asked whether Gu is Chinese or American and raised concern on the possibility of Gu having dual Chinese and American citizenship. Gu was born and raised in San Francisco to a Beijing native mother and American father.

In 2019, Gu announced she had decided to represent China at the 2022 Winter Olympics. She changed her affiliation from the United States to China in June 2019, according to the International Ski Federation.

Since Chinese law does not recognise dual citizenship, Gu’s switch means she cannot not hold both nationalities at the same time. Gu is yet to clarify her nationality status publicly since making the decision to represent China at the Beijing Games.

One comment on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like social media platform, questioned some of Gu’s recent interviews, saying it was unclear who she represented.

“I’m curious about her stating that she’s American when she’s in America, and Chinese when in China in interviews with foreign media. Her name is not on the list of people who have given up US citizenship on the Federal Register, foreign media reported that she has dual citizenship. What do people think? Is this tacit acceptable?”

The comment received 42 upvotes and sparked heated discussion with opinions largely divided on Gu’s identity as a Chinese athlete.

Many argued Gu’s decision to represent China at the Winter Olympics says enough about her Chinese identity, while others raised concerns about Gu’s potential dual citizenship between China and the United States.

Watch: Eileen Gu models Chinese gear, turns Olympic Village into a catwalk

“It’s all right as long as the Chinese flag is raised in the award ceremony when she becomes champion. At least she’s willing to share her champion title with China,” one commenter wrote in reply.

“Does it matter? She is of mixed heritage and has sentimental ties to both sides,” another said.

“The point is [she may have] dual citizenship,” a commenter insisted.

“I just wanted to express confusion on why, on one hand, dual nationality is not recognised for ordinary people – once discovered, their Chinese accounts will be removed, but on the other hand an athlete with dual citizenship is celebrated. Is this blatant double standards?” another argued.

In a curiously timed post on Thursday, Gu explained her ambitions for competing at the Beijing Olympics and what she hoped to achieve as a result.

“I’ve always said my goal is to globally spread the sport I love to kids, especially girls, and to shift sport culture toward one motivated by passion,” she wrote.

“Now, after hearing that over 300 MILLION Chinese people have started winter sports for fun, I’m blown away by how far we have come. I’m proud to have done my best to spread a positive and personal message, and to have reached audiences willing to listen to me.”

Gu remains hugely popular both domestically and abroad. Her official Weibo account tops 1.3 million followers, while Instagram has more than 250,000 followers.