INTERNATIONAL: San Francisco-born Eileen Gu, who lifted the host country to the top of the medals table at the Beijing Olympics with a freeski Big Air gold on Tuesday, remained evasive on whether she was still holding an American passport.

The 18-year-old fashion model and incoming Stanford University student was already considered Team China's best-known winter athlete and her popularity has gone through the roof.

"So I grew up spending 25-30% (of my time) in China. I'm fluent in Mandarin and English and fluent culturally in both," she answered, when asked if she was still an American citizen.

"So coming here, I really feel there was a sense of coming home. I feel just as American as Chinese. I don't feel I'm taking advantage of one or another. They understand that my mission is to foster a connection between countries and not a divisive force."

Chinese media have also focused on her fluent Mandarin, Eurasian features -- Gu was born to a Chinese mother and American father -- proud embrace of Chinese culture and academic prowess as reasons for her popularity with China's public.

China does not allow dual nationality, and state media have previously reported that the 18-year-old renounced her U.S. citizenship after she became a Chinese national at the age of 15.

Gu would not confirm that, When the reporter asked again, the news conference moderator interjected: "Next question, please."

Gu has not been without controversy, however, particularly over her decision in 2019 to switch teams and represent China after years of competing for the United States, where she was born and raised.