Sports

Sun Yingsha and Eileen Gu on TIME’s sports influence list: why Chinese athletes travel globally

Chinese table-tennis star Sun Yingsha and freestyle skier Eileen Gu were reported among TIME’s influential sports figures, highlighting the global visibility of athletes who combine elite performance with strong public identities.

• Sun represents China’s depth in table tennis and the continuing international pull of the sport. Gu represents a newer model of athlete-brand crossover spanning sport, culture and youth identity.
• The inclusion matters because global sports influence is no longer measured only by medals. Media presence, cross-border recognition and commercial storytelling increasingly shape an athlete’s reach.
• For knowledge readers, this is a reminder that modern sport is also a communication industry. Performance creates the base; narrative and platforms expand the audience.