Why do we hate Raygun? But NOT Steve Bradbury or Eddie the Eagle...

[@adamgriss2025]

Eddie the Eagle was loved because he was humble, and an underdog. He did his best and was proud of his accomplishments. He was an embodiment of the Olympic spirit.

[@dustybootslife]

So true!

[@keirasinclair9249]

Her arrogance is very off putting. It’s bizarre that she takes herself SO damn seriously when she is objectively bad.

[@stevew3421]

No. This is great !!

[@Sullivanfrederick-r3d]

And very bad.

[@WilmaFistdu65]

Zero self awareness.

[@decimated550]

About everybody by now in Western civilizations. Know that the universities are where we send our kids off and get them back turned into communists, crossdressers, white self-hating, cry babies and in loads of debt to tens and tens and tens of thousands of dollars. She is part of that massive scam And no one except college professors respects college professors anymore

[@user-ms1en8im3y]

Steve Bradbury is a real athlete. He spent year competing at world championships over the years. Bradbury was a top athlete over the years and won many championships.

[@ThisIsWideAngle]

He for sure didn´t show up in the final run of the top by accident. He had to qualify for that. He did so, because his opponent was disqualified, but even so, he got to the best of five.

[@vibexoxo8651]

Because she offended Breakdancers and its legit in Olympics, she offended real PHD people and much worst, she offended Kangoroos

[@dustybootslife]

🤣🤣🤣

[@DemPilafian]

Exactly. PhDs can mostly be divided into two buckets: rigorous and frivolous. For example, a STEM PhD or a PhD in Dance or Art History is rigorous. A PhD in Dance Culture is frivolous.

[@Sullivanfrederick-r3d]

Poor kangaroos.

[@nigelhunt8275]

Eddie the Eagle became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic downhill ski jumping. He held the British ski jumping record from 1988 to 2001. He also took part in amateur speed skiing, running at 106.8 km/h, and became a stunt jumping world record holder for jumping over 6 buses. At the time there was no representation from Britain in this category and Eddie got in on a technicality which has since been closed (The Eddie the Eagle Rule). We all knew he was the underdog that looked like Mr Magoo, but he gave it his best shot even at the risk of possibly killing himself. He was humble and his lack of success made him endeared around the world.

[@d4slaimless]

Begs for a question, how this girl got into Olympic games. She is certainly not in top 50.

[@louisafoster1640]

Right on, her defensiveness made it worse.

[@TotalKarenage-vj4oc]

Eddie the eagle helped my Dad change a tyre )at the height of his fame), literally stopped his car and helped for the sake of it, what a legend. Being Scottish we tend not to love English heroes but Eddie is a hero to the whole UK

[@dustybootslife]

That's so lovely!!

[@TotalKarenage-vj4oc]

@@dustybootslife My old man says he’s a proper class act, so humble and just an all round nice guy.

[@stimso]

Those people did not take someone else's spot who was eminently more qualified.

[@pencilpauli9442]

Eddie the Eagle is the British equivalent of Cool Running... without the cool and no running. He was in the ski jump event, which not many Brits ever get to try, let alone get proficient at. Also, with all due respect to Eddie, he doesn't look like he has an athletic bone in his body. In short he represented "everyman", the underdog, and we all love the underdog. And let's face it, anyone who goes flies off the end of a ski jump gets props. Eddie was the first to admit he wasn't great at the ski jump, but he still had the bottle to turn up and participate. ps There was a certain eccentricity about what Eddie did, which I think also added to the charm.

[@brianvoigt8894]

She overshadowed the true olympians.

[@Goldskool]

meaning she is cough everyone of guard noone was ready for her making her special ..but we were not not us the breaking community

[@mattschwensen9562]

Bradbury went to 3 olympics. He made it to the final to win that gold medal (again with a little luck) He was also the favourite for gold at the previous olympics and was himself taken out ie: missed a chance at a medal through bad luck. So at the following olympics when he was no longer fast enough to be a genuine medal hope luck went his way.

[@cessiahc]

I don't think those two compare. You kinda missed the point. IMO. But I am glad you brought these two up, nonetheless. But She selfishly took the opportunity from someone qualified. The only thing she should have done is apologized for taking someones opportunity, for not practicing for 3 hours a day. for yawning during the other real breakdancers performance, and for simply even being there, when someone else could have done way better. This was funny at first, but the more i thought about it, the worse I felt about it. The first thing I thought is that there has to be more to this. And the spoke women who shared the story of Raygun crying because she was a girl...The world is offended, girl. Wasting everyones time & money. Do it on TikTok not the olympics or a sponsored event. Also the spoke person who defended her, and even worse speaking about unrelated topics to justify & claiming that Raygun is the best in Australia. Ridiculous

[@dustybootslife]

I agree with all your points here, but I reckon as Aussies we're generally a lot more accepting of people who 'give it a go' since it's a big part of the culture. If she was humble about it and admitted what she did wrong, I think Aussies would have taken to her a lot more kindly instead of disliking her.

[@jm9841]

Ty. Yes the yawning during the other persons performance what arrogance. The playing victim after she entered a competion and was judged. Um.... it is a competition. Supposedly the highest. Then forcing the removal of peoples videos critiquing (sp?) her performance. The only place that belonged in the Olympics was at the opening ceremony with the nativity scene or whatever. I have only seen memes. Thought they were both jokes (which they ironically are) at first. Bradbury could skate he was just slow. The look on his face when he crossed the line showed how amazed he was himself. Eddie was just a great character and did actually land his jump. He never expected to win. Humility always wins. Even if you are the best at something if you are arrogant as all get out it wears thin fast.

[@Alex-zs4vb2lt5c]

Bradbury was the better skater on the day... because his balance was better and he was able to avoid the obstacles his competitors unsportingly attempted to put in his way. Noone should take that way from him

[@johnterpack3940]

She didn't take anything from anybody. Watch the competition that put her there. Even if the other girl had won, we'd be having the same conversation today. There was nobody in that competition who needed to go to the Olympics.

[@goldenfleece777]

@@johnterpack3940 I watched the competition. The other girl was much better than Raygun, although Raygun herself was much better than during her Olympic performance. I believe that the Olympic games, just like everything else in our culture, are being deliberately destroyed to divide us and make us quarrel. A mere distraction from what's really going on.

[@muss8587]

Agreed! We were watching her performance and thought exactlyvthe same....this is a comedic spoof🚩🇦🇺😎🤣🚩🚩🚩

[@seanmurphy7011]

Steve Bradbury's win was legit. Wiping out on ice is a part of the sport. Everyone else wiped out and he didn't.

[@onlyrealtalentedartists]

To be fare the strong reaction of the public was not because she sucks and clearly have no talent for break, but because of the interview in which she was so narcissistic, entitled and said stupid things. It was really aggravating that her and Anna Maeres were claiming "haters" were wrong, for her "she did her best" and she "won the Oceania qualifier.The truth is that if it was true she won the qualifier, then Australia should not send anyone, just not good enough..And nobody will accept her claim from Anna Maeres that she was the best Australia had to offer. "people will not understand my style", who cares about her style if she clearly have no talent for movement!!. "if my best is not good for someone what can I do"? well, you could stop pretending you are any good, and let someone else with talent to represent Australia and if you cant find any other then send no one!! I will love to see her smile disappear from her entitled face

[@dustybootslife]

So true

[@theresasarjeant7673]

Thing is she is not the best in Australia - she has been beaten by a 9 year old. She somehow manipulated the selection process.

[@TotalKarenage-vj4oc]

Eddie the eagle is a legend. So humble (I can personally confirm this), does loads of charity! He’s the UK record holder and ONlY British ski jumper to qualify for Olympics. RayGuns boyfriend being one of the judges that voted her through to the olympics is a bit suss.

[@B_B.w0lf]

Bc she ruined the future of break dancing at the Olympics

[@steveputland4324]

Englands Eddie the Eagle was competing in a dangerous sport, he knew what he was doing but had a weird style flapping his arms for balance. Steve Bradbury was good enough to make it through to the final, also was known by the other skaters as he built speed skates for the best of them, so he definitely belonged! “Raygun” was placed in the sport for some kind of Government Agenda , she was no where near the best we had & obviously someone missed out on an Olympic selection to put Raygun in for Australia! 👎

[@TotalKarenage-vj4oc]

Eddie only flapped his arms for the fun with the fans! Showing what a good sport he is and as you correctly say he qualified for a very dangerous sport, breaking the British record

[@personofearth5076]

Yep like you I believe that something was going on. The woman cannot breakdance at all so how was she there? Perhaps to destroy breakdancing and to stop it from being in the next Olympics?

[@brianvoigt8894]

We dont believe she is the best Australia has and if she really is she lacks a huge amount of self awareness. The fact that she labels critic as hate does not make people support her.her performance was terrible, lacked skill.

[@jaynbob42]

I’m not sure but I think Eddie was about as good a competitor as we had. I am damn sure that Rachel Gunn can’t be the best breakdancer in Australia. I’d not heard of the Bradbury fella but again I would assume he was the best to qualify in the sport for Australia. Looks like he won by pure luck.

[@artugaradukin6119]

No, he won because he was the smartest, and never give up. He was badly injured before the olympic games, but he knew he had a chance to win anyway. And he played everything correct. He really deserved that gold. For me it is one of the most deserved victories ever in the olympic history.

[@jaynbob42]

@@artugaradukin6119 I’ll take your word for it. I’m just going by what was clipped in this video.

[@dustybootslife]

Nah you're right Steve was 100% in last place and won by "luck" through everyone falling over. He absolutely did deserve to be there, but his performance during that specific even wasn't good enough for gold without everyone else falling over 😅

[@kathleenrussell4629]

I'm annoyed that Melbourne's 7 news have a story about her every night like she's a celebrity. Raygun deserves the hate and mockery for hdr arrogance, wish she would go away.

[@mereteaasland6663]

I feel that Eddie the eagle was humble and fun, and to me the importent part compared to Raygun is that he didnt really didnt take a place from anyone from the uk, they didnt have a lot of participent doing ski jumping. Not a big sport in the uk, not at that time atleast. He was a happy fun part of that olymipcs. I dont remember anyone else from it 😅 You are very spot on with your explaination of this 👍

[@anthonymeade7345]

You don't hate someone for being bad at breakdancing.

[@martinh5402]

I am an Aussie, competed in Calgary 1988 had breakfast with Eddie, he is a cool very plain working class guy (no PhD lecturer) I was a bobsleigher the track is right next to the 120 m hill I've stood at the top of it and I wouldn't jump off, I'm really not sure what Eddie saw with his coke bottle glasses but probably not much! It was also really windy that week they jumped and numerous times the 120 m Ski jumping got cancelled. There were some Olympians that got their noses out of joint with Eddie but in the closing ceremony as they were extinguishing the flame the announcer was geeing us up for the next games in Albertville he finished by saying "and soar like eagles!" and the 60,000 people in McMahon Stadium including all the athletes at one end of the stadium went absolutely apeshit, I will never forget that moment!! Steve absolutely deserved his medal as they all know "that is short track!" and as mentioned earlier Steve got skewered though his femoral artery with a skate blade in a crash during a race prior to the games and if not for the awesome medical staff would have bled to death on the ice, he had most admirably paid his dues. And Raygun the least said the better she's earning millions and that was her agenda.

[@dustybootslife]

That's so cool!!

[@stevew3421]

Raygun is the gift that keeps on giving! It’s so good!

[@craigschultz83]

He actually won a medal, and could skate at an olympic level

[@timsunderland5153]

With all due respect, Steve Bradbury was not “last” at all, He was 5th or 6th in the world as that was a final, racing for Gold medal! Although his semi was a bit “fortunate” for him also, he was very very good at his sport, unlike Raygun so can’t really compare the 2… Dunno about Eddie….

[@robcomerford3172]

She rorted the system that's why and to make matters worse put in a pathetic effort. Steve Bradbury trained for years as a skater and yes was fortunate that his competitors fell but he did deserve to be there.

[@paulblackburn5356]

Steve Bradbury shouldn't be compared to Raygun. He was fast enough to be in it. Apparently it's a tactic if you can't match it in a sprint with the pack. There is a good chance that someone will go down. Unless you are well in front, chances are you will be taken out when they go down. If you are far enough back not to be taken out, but close enough to get past before they get back up you gain some easy places. Short track is so tight that elite skaters are always treading the line between staying up or sliding out. All the other competitors went down. Smart race. But surely there are Australian B-girls who breakdance better than that. We still may have bombed out, but I can't believe that she was best. UK doesn't do ski jumping, Eddie the Eagle got in because he was the only one. Just like the Jamaican bobsledders at Calgary.

[@stevensiferd7104]

I think the word "hate" has become overused to the point that it's lost its meaning. It's used by people who want to play victim rather than face up to their shortcomings. Eddie the Eagle was Britain's first Olympic ski jumper, even though he was damn near blind. People wondered if he was going to die every time he jumped. Steve Bradbury's win is hilarious because of how he won. The IOC removing any trace of Raygun's performance while she plays the victim card is off-putting. Still, to say people "hate" her shows just how meaningless that word has become.

[@dustybootslife]

"strongly dislike" or "are very annoyed by-" just didn't have the conciseness I needed for a title 😅 but I totally agree no one actually hates her

[@ZestySea]

Totally disagree - the unwarranted hate on the internet directed at Raygun was extreme, and some news media fueled it.

[@cornnatron3030]

that must be a cold cuppa after 13.5min

[@andydorman2119]

Just imagine the global TALENT that did NOT make it there for HER to go, with THAT performance...😢 The math on this one ain't mathin'.

[@poerava]

Thank you for your video It’s interesting that Leah Clark, the treasurer of ‘aus breaking’ (the organisation that was engaged with and given money to organise the one and only qualifying event in Raygun’s hometown of Sydney) said that there were many b girls that were ‘locked out’ of the qualifier and that the event was ‘flawed’. Leah is one of Australia’s most respected b girls and has been breaking and teaching for over 20 years. The event itself was bizarrely organised and then cancelled. It was then, at short notice, advertised and some say that this is why some competitors were ‘locked out’ due to the fact that passports were required (which takes 6 weeks, unless you have $300 to fast track it) so the b girls being informed of the event, with less than 6 weeks notice and no financial support offered also. Flights and hotels for competitors coming from Perth, Brisbane or Melbourne, are not cheap and other sports such as skateboarding and surfing, offered financial support to the competitors. Another interesting thing is that all competitors needed to be registered with 3 breaking groups. Also, Raygun and her husband have been involved in many events where government grants and funding were given. They would hold these events and run workshops apparently. Then there’s the fact that some b girl individuals who had a ‘permanent resident’ visa, were not allowed to compete in the qualifier. This is strange as some people with permanent resident visa’s, have been in Australia for decades. The fact that her husband was engaged with as the coach, before she won, was strange and also a conflict of interest. Raygun’s close association with organising events with ‘aus breaking’ is worthy of an inquiry. Hearing the Australian athlete manager, answer with ‘we love Raygun’ was reflective of nepotism. In my observations, this is a case of nepotism, white privilege, white fragility and corruption. She didn’t need to rig the coaches decisions, she just needed to reduce the levels of competition that could make it.

[@mikebrickner1701]

How could anyone hate her? She's given the world so much free entertainment

[@alainboulingrin651]

yes I had a lot of fun this last month seeing all the memes about her it was hilarious

[@skipperry63]

I don’t hate her but I just dislike her for making a mockery of break dancing and being so arrogant. Either she’s an example of the Dunning Kruger effect or she’s just plain arrogant.

[@eat.food.not.friends]

The reason we don't like her is that she still tries to gaslight us into believing that she is actually on the same level as the other breakers, but just has a different style. She still tries to convince us that we don't see her talent and skills because we don't understand breaking. And there's no way that her husband became the Olympic breaking coach, and what a coincidence, she won the qualification rounds fairly. I don't care what they tell us otherwise, there's no way! They both got in?! Really? Although they both are terrible at breaking!? No way! And she still tries to make us believe that there was actually no criticism from the breaking community because of her skills. She pretends as if all the negative criticism from the hip-hop community is just a result of the backlash the community received and has nothing to do with her dance itself. Although it is very clear that many members of that community were not criticizing the negative comments, but that she was even at the Olympics. They said she shouldn't have been there. She even thanked that judge who said that her dance wasn't shocking and she got her Inspiration from her environment, like the kangaroo. I mean, come on!? What could he say? He tried to defend the whole qualification process, and they wanted to end the negative press. And then she said "There are the more athletic breakers, and the creative dancers, and both are very valid!" Did somebody tell her that the Olympics are a sports event?? And the creativity wasn't even a strength of her! I saw no strengths! Ridiculous.

[@dsc4178]

Because Eddie wasn't propped up as something he wasn't, and Bradbury was actually good, and neither was propped up by media et al as great when they didn't do great things.

[@TotalKarenage-vj4oc]

Eddie the eagle was told he would never even qualify! He did and became a legend here in uk. Bradbury deserved his gold, to win you gotta stay standing, Tay got through cos her hubby was on judge team and she thinks she is decent

[@tcullen3684]

What a ridiculous comparison. Steve Bradbury was in the Olympic final. You don't get into the final without doing something right. It's not even close to the same thing. Bradbury was not taking the place of somebody more worthy.

[@qwertyTRiG]

Two things: 1. The IOC is ridiculously over-the-top protective of their copyright, so it's not specifically Raygun's performance which is hidden: they take _everything_ down. 2. The Paris Olympics opening ceremony was not offensive to Christians unless you believe the lies of the American right wing. An Olympian celebration of Dionysius has nothing to do with Christianity at all.

[@jenniferbaarn9085]

Thank you for bringing up Greek mythology. That was the first thing that crossed my mind when I saw the performance. Cultural ignorance is dangerous

[@chrishenniker5944]

@@jenniferbaarn9085some of my Christian friends understand the story of Rabbi Yeshua’s story is similar to the story of Dionysus, that it might have been appropriated from Greek paganism. Many Muslims were offended by it too, as Yeshua is the most important prophet after Mohammed. As were a good number of feminists, as they see drag queens as a sexist and downright misogynistic caricature of women.

[@pokerinthefrontliqueurinth4971]

I too have not watched the Olympics. But this has my attention.

[@e.g.3223]

RayBum

[@Emencheta-hg6zs]

100% agree great video

[@rotierender_lurch]

I like your energy. Keep it up.

[@dustybootslife]

Thank you!

[@patrici509]

I loved the skater. Apparently a few skaters went out front. And apparently were over their heads in speed and tactics. And fell. He sailed through because he was faster. Plain and simple. His win is legitimate.

[@ekolekol4389]

You didn't mention Elizabeth Swaney, which is more comparable. Also, it's a judged sport, which could be considered more corruptable (look at the boxing)

[@detroitpolak9904]

Her movie “Un-Cool Runnings” will hit theaters late 2025.

[@paulwally9007]

Steve Bradbury's catchphrase should be 'I am the greatest!'

[@MrHeytimbo]

It is incredibly wrong to compare Bradbury to raygun. Bradbury made his way through heats and semi finals to be in the top 5 to complete for gold. He knew that the others were faster and knew that his only chance to win was to stay out of the way. He stayed far enough away to take the gold when the others fell. The other thing to consider about Bradbury is that he nearly bled out on the ice after falling and being cut by another competitors skate in 1994. He lost 4 litres of blood, needed 111 stitches and took 18 months to get back to where he was. So it’s a bit harsh to put him into a conversation comparing him to raygun.

[@chrishenniker5944]

Ironically, Edwards was a talented cross country skier. He had to switch to ski jumping to get into the games. English culture has a trope of the underdog in comedy.

[@peterplus2001]

Removing videos copyright strikes? She's earning the hate.

[@MrDarkwing78]

As a Yank in the US Supreme Court once said on the topic of pornography, “I don’t know how to describe it, but I know it when I see it.” Well, I saw it, and that wasn’t breaking. That was some kind of interpretive dance that shouldn’t have been there. She might have scored better if she tried a waltz instead! I mean she even described it as interpretive herself. I’m sure it might work in a Kate Bush music video, but that was the Olympics. Unlike Raygun, Bradbury could actually keep up with his competitors. He may not have been the fastest there, but he was always there ready to take his opportunity. He’d also competed competently in the sport for years before his gold, and had earned his way into the finals… with 2 seperate crashes, but that just means NOBODY will ever forget our first ever Winter Olympics gold medal! I don’t think people hate her because she isn’t humble. I don’t think people hate her. I think she just seems delusional, and it irks a lot of us. She seems to think she was robbed despite the negative response and zero’s, to the extent that I wouldn’t be surprised to see her try again in 2028 with the same moves. To the same end. There’s an Aussie term, Tall-Poppy Syndrome, that basically describes a jealous mindset leading to attack those that are better than ourselves… This ain’t it, though.

[@ralphthomas7868]

She is the embodiment of entitlement.

[@t.least.he.is.honest]

She prevented other better qualified people from going it was fixed

[@aridddle]

Steve Bradbury is just a decent athlete that got the literal luckiest break in sports history. If that never happens hes just another athlete that participated tht very few people remember. Eddie the eagle is justt a motivational feel.good story Raygun is the opposite of both of those. She was not even above average in her skill set, while she put in some work how she even made it to thw Olympics leaves tons of questions, and she didn't even win a medal or have an interesting story.

[@peterplus2001]

Reign Gun would do well in a role with Will Ferrell playing Elf.

[@theresasarjeant7673]

She manipulated the selection process to get a spot at the Olympics. She basically took the place of much better break dancers. That is why she is hated. Eddie the Eagle and Bradbury won their places fairly.

[@SlinkyAdi]

I wasn't mad, I was disappointed

[@THE_CDN]

She's neither a break dancer nor an athlete. She's somebody who created an organization to get government money so she could pursue her "doctorate in break dancing while also getting a free ticket to Paris. She took money away from far more deserving people and her qualifying "competition" had her friends judging it. She's also arrogant.

[@ryanhegseth8720]

I think it was just a distraction from the other crap especially the man beating the crap out of women in the women’s boxing, that is a way bigger deal than this dumb dance thing.

[@goldenfleece777]

And that in turn is a distraction from even bigger and badder things... This is the time of disclosure; don't be satisfied with little crumbs of information, dig for complete truth.

[@baolnguyen442]

Because Raygun is good-looking...?

[@leonardoroar]

very easy, if she has done majority of her performance with bboy style and bboy moves, and got last place, nobody would care about her. but she didn't. and she did funny moves that aren't relevant. This would suffice, but wait, there's more. and later we realized she did it deliberately. and then we realized she thought she did well, even if she thinks she is not going to "win". and she said she treat it very seriously. and she trained "very very hard" for it. making the whole intention and her performance even worse than we though. and she and others said she is the "best" in the qualifiers for the whole of OCEANIA, making the qualifying event sus. because we saw others that are better than her. it made her sounds like a narcissist, and she is not even aware that she did a bad performance, and she also did not expect worldwide backlash. So she expects a participation trophy and doing Australia proud, after doing a mockery to the dance genre and to Australia.

[@seanmchugh3476]

In similitude with Dusty, I found the episode more amusing and entertaining than anything else. There are plenty of people in Australia who can not only harm us, but actually want to. Rachel won't hurt us, politically, economically or socially. She won't even hurt our feelings. What is concerning is the over-the-top reaction. It's as if a holocaust needs to be condemned. Those who hate her need to worry about what they are like, not what she is like.

[@rossmurray6849]

I am disappointed that anyone would mention Steve Bradbury in the same breath as Raygun or Eddie the Eagle. Bradbury had proven himself worthy of participating in the Olympics by making it -- on merit -- into the top five competitors for the final of his event.

[@eat.food.not.friends]

She should follow Renata Bliss's example. She has a great sense of humor....

[@BugenhagenTheMonk]

Lets not forget that Stephen Bradbury was in the finals - he worked hard to be in the top 4. And from a country that doesn't have a strong winter sport culture. Same for Eddie the Eagle. He took an interest in Ski Jumping and had the guts to do it. Being the only option for the UK, he was sent and "gave it a go" and honoured his country by trying his best. Rachael Gunn... chosen from a group of better Aussie dancers it seems. Obviously didn't give her best shot at it. Embarrassed her country. and then points out that her track record speaks for itself. I have a suspicion she was trying to make some statement on the politics of the Olympics and failed to be either clever or talented about it. The Olympic committee were embarrassed but are now spinning it like it was all part of the plan. BUT deep down she is the black mark on the best olympic show Australia has ever had

[@talk2thoran]

Those videos shouldn't be being removed because there's something called 'fair use'.

[@gregdee530]

I think the first question should be "why is break dancing even in the Olympics?"

[@ZestySea]

No, I don’t think so. It’s an exciting sport to watch, and can very athletic. It’s no different to say - dressage (Equestrian), which has complex point scoring. It’s an emerging sport, and there’s also a conflict between original dance proponents and emerging countries embracing it as a competitive sport.

[@patrickcollins1855]

No one hates her. She just represents wytea privilege. She is a reminder that the people who control the gold can change the goalpost.

[@kileypaet8221]

Brett Cooper has an interesting take on how RayGun got into the Olympics. Now I don’t know how accurate her information is or is not, but it sure makes sense. Bottom line of the Brett Coopper take is, she cheated her way in.

[@blue3381]

Don't worry, Australia - you still have Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, and Cate Blanchett. Not too shabby.

[@cornnatron3030]

the olympics shouldnt be about laughing but about performance for being a laughing stock you got those talent shows to compete in.

[@geoffm9924]

Eddie was a trier who had to overcome arrogant people with power trying to refuse him his place. From what I've heard on you tube it sounds like ray gunn is that arragoant person with power who denied others their place. I dont know how much of that is true but it seems to be doing the rounds and could explain the hate

[@VoIcanoman]

I interpret her saying that she couldn't beat the other girls in terms of power moves and whatnot, and that she had to play to her strengths of musicality and creativity, as an admission that she knew that she had no shot at a medal (given how important the areas of the "sport" are, at which she is fairly mediocre), and had to just hope that the couple of elements of breaking in which she actually excels would be enough to prevent her from embarrassing herself on international television. She did not strike me as ego-tripping or arrogant. And jokingly disparaging both yourself and your opponent in breaking battles is a part of the culture - faking a yawn while watching her opponent dance is entirely in keeping with the nature of this activity. I think the hatred for Raygun is caused by a combination of 3 things: 1) The novelty of breaking being an Olympic sport, and a lack of understanding of what the sport is, and how it's judged. 2) Gunn's apparent audacity at taking herself and her sport seriously (making it the subject of her academic research). 3) Social media amplifying the WORST takes possible (like the oft-repeated lie that Gunn cheated her way to the Olympics in any number of improbable ways, such as her husband supposedly being in charge of Australia's breaking team, or having participated in judging her performances in the qualifying events, etc.). In reference to the first point, Gunn's dancing was actually in keeping with the actual nature of her sport, pushing the boundaries of creative expression. She didn't have the physicality to match her creativity, so she stood no chance of winning anything, but she did her best, and played to her strengths. As for the second point, I mean, academics study all kinds of things that "regular" people would deem to be unworthy of serious research. And some researchers actively engage in the cultural activity that they are researching (like ethnobotanists undergoing ritual psychedelic intoxication, or the rumored kink researchers becoming professional doms). Gunn is clearly fascinated with all things break dancing, and has devoted her life to this field. And finally, Gunn won her spot in the Olympics fair and square. She did not get in on a technicality, or engage in fraudulent or immoral behavior to ensure that other, more qualified people could not participate. She fully earned her spot, and should be lauded for giving it a go, despite the odds being stacked against her. (Somewhat related) tangent: The Olympics are (for better or worse) committed to allowing a wide range of competitors from a diversity of nationalities to compete, as long as they meet some minimum standard. *People even change their nationality because they cannot win a spot in the Olympics by competing for their actual nation, and the IOC has no problem with this (aside from setting out rules that govern the practice).* As an EXTREMELY pertinent example, there was an American named Elizabeth Swaney (look her up) who wanted to be an Olympian, despite being a profoundly mediocre athlete...but she didn't let that minor detail stop her from pursuing her dream. She picked freestyle skiing - halfpipe as her event, changed her nationality to Hungarian (having previously tried both skiing and skeleton as a _Venezuelan national_ ), and she got to work. Freestyle skiing was a good choice of event because, like in Steve Bradbury's improbable gold medal-winning race, people pushing the envelop in these kinds of sports (those on slippery surfaces) often fail spectacularly, despite being top notch athletes. In freestyle skiing, failure means falling while pursuing the most epic moves, and getting disqualified. So Swaney just...did no moves at all (epic or otherwise). It took her FIVE years...but by diligently attending all of these World Cup events, she eventually earned enough points just by finishing her runs to _barely_ qualify for the Olympics...where she again did no moves. She finished in last place, but she's an Olympian for life now! The fact is that Rachael Gunn actively tried to hang with the best in the world at break dancing. She failed, but she still engaged in what one could call "the spirit of the sport." Elizabeth Swaney did no such thing. *She qualified by doing the opposite of what normally allows people to succeed in that sport.* But there was no massive hate-on for her. People have largely forgotten her story, despite it being quite remarkable. I do think if that happened today (she competed in 2018), there WOULD be more hate, because of the way social media has evolved to bring out the very worst in people. But the fact remains that skiing, even badly, is a "normal" thing to do, and it has been in the Olympics in some form or another for 100+ years. Breaking is novel, it's weird, nobody understands it, and Rachel Gunn looked kind of stupid doing it (to the untrained eye...and possibly the trained eye). Moreover, she studies the sport professionally, taking it extremely seriously, which makes her Olympic performance even more amusing (at least for people who have no comprehension of what the sport is, or how it works). So obviously, she needs to be put in her place.

[@JasonTodd339]

What no. Her "dance" was nothing like breakdancing and shouldn't even be called so. Firstly.

[@dabble778]

Or the Chk Chk Boom woman

[@Nat-lg2ks]

Rey Gun said she never watches her own performances (the taped ones). I think that might be her problem

[@kevinedw2002]

Because they actually tried

[@michaelobrien5366]

Probably better to compare her to Eric the Eel. The other two were real athletes.

[@beco4690]

Yes we are all ofenden, and why is she still not in jail for the fraud she committed by blocking real brake dancers.

[@alainboulingrin651]

you can t compare bradbury to her he s a real athlete

[@Michael-hm8cs]

She is now apparently ranked number 1 in the world🤷‍♂️...I don't think anyone hates her...but her performance at the olympics is worthy of ridicule

[@personofearth5076]

Because it's not about entertainment it's about the Olympics and showing our best athletes. This was horrendous and embarrassing to our nation and as far as I'm concerned she by default took the glory away from our amazing athletes who did so well and instead of them being the talk of the town, she is for all the wrong reasons.

[@michaelhorning6014]

She's a smug privileged academic grifter.

[@AndrewJennings-uk5vo]

Bradbury made it to final of Olympics event on actual merit and talent , he was lucky to win but Ray Gun was just embarrassing to all Australians , he wasn’t last he was first as the other finalists couldn’t not fall over unlike Ray Gun , who is a uni professor playing gender wars . She’s a joke , Bradbury was far more deserving . It’s not sexism

[@anniroc1101]

Most of us recognise the training and bravery in just attempting the ski jumping or speed skating, and we know those athletes probably were the best in their country..... there is no skill or bravery in dancing the sprinkler or jump like a kangaroo.

[@thefantasyreview8709]

There is a big difference with Raygun. (1) There were other breakers who were better than her, who could of gone in her place and done better. She selfishly took the spot, even though she knew she wasn't as good (2) She seemed to be deliberately doing a bad job of it, making a bit of a mockery of breaking. Steve Bradbury and Eddie the Eagle dgave it their best - for their respective countries they were the best in fields those countries weren 't great in - they weren't taking the spot of a better ski-er or skater. Also Bradbury is a legit good skater, and qualified, just not as good as the others in the race.

[@ZestySea]

Rachel won the Oceania qualifier, and was entitled to compete. While many people don’t like her performance, it wasn’t wrong. If you are comparing athleticism, you could make a case, but Olympic scoring isn’t entirely based on athleticism, there are other factors including expressive dance - for more, search for Coach Sambo, Olympic Coach for team China on You Tube who has several explainers on scoring and the qualifier. If you have a problem with the way the qualifiers are organised - for example, Africa had a much tighter competition, and the entire American continent sent just two competitors (one from Canada, one from USA), it reflects the way the qualifiers were organised. There were several ways competitors could earn a spot, but you need money for this type of competition

[@MrAhuapai]

Her arrogance and entitlement put a lot of people. The sport breaking was on trial and her performance immediately demeaned the sport worldwide. If she had been outstandingly the opposite may of occurred.

[@apennameandthata2017]

Bradbury got in the finals. Blocked.

[@sixter4157]

The public perception of Eddie the Eagle was positive, but from the sporting side he was considered an embarrassment. He was kicked off the British team, and a rule was put in place known as the Eddie the Eagle Rule to prevent him from competing in the Olympics again. The new rule states to qualify you had compete in international competition and be in the top 30% or top 50, whichever was fewer. If this rule applied to breaking, it would have prevented Raygun from qualifying for the Olympics. I think the framing of Raygun is what turned opinion against her. Eddie had his hard work and a blue collar worker turned everyman Olympian on his side. Eddie made you believe that if you worked hard enough your Olympic dreams could come true no matter how humble your background. The feelings I see is Raygun came across as a privileged brat that was goofing on the Olympics and not taking it seriously. "I can't win so I might as well have fun."

[@talk2thoran]

Is this evidence of the disconnect between the academic world and the real world?

[@timdouglas7948]

1 Bradbury won gold, in the final at worst he was 4th in the world. Raygunn isn't even in the top 10.

[@Kerry-AnneHeinen]

Bradbury still made the final but didn't he so he was good enough to be there and good enough to stay on his feet so you talking shit about him is just a shot thing to do mate

[@PieterPatrick]

Her coach is just as bad in breakdancing.

[@tosgem]

So you're pretty much outing yourself as a right winger here. The fact that you are not getting the misogyny and far right sentiment against Raygunn is frustrating but I can give you that. But then you say you didn't like the opening ceremony that you didn't want anything to do with the olympics just because of that? Right!

[@ZestySea]

I get what you are saying. There’s fair criticism of Rachel and her performance, but most was uninformed and fuelled by some media outlets. The attacks on Raygun were extreme, and seemed to have worked in reverse by delivering fame and connections. One experienced (and very involved) coach from the UK, said that if they’d ran the BBoys first no one would have noticed Rachel’s performance. In hindsight, I guess the Olympic committee wanted the BBgirls to be the curtain raiser, and the BBoys to be the main event.

[@Goldskool]

so annoying holding that cup like an old lady with a grudge sorry thats is the impression you give me ..

[@dustybootslife]

Sorry you feel that way 🙏🏽

[@markbatch6374]

in Steve Bradburys sport, ppl falling is a common thing im sure he's been in races where he lost bc of falls too . re Eddie The Eagle you cant be as shitty at ski jumping as raygunn was at BD and live ski jumping is a life n death sport and he went through a lot more official trials than raygunn did as far is i know she did one olympic trial and got in

[@tobynewell8992]

Cause he. F+king made the. Finals and. Cause he did. Win cause. The. Otherw ceashed. It wasnt riged yer but he eddie. Gave it a. Realy good. Go and both of them. Admit they arent the. Bewt and. Dont know how. They won of git to the. Olympics