‘Difficult to watch on the sideline'
RLG: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is set to return to play for Queensland after missing last year's series due to an ACL tear, but the Maroons enforcer is ready for the big stage again.
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ABC News
28 minutes ago
- ABC News
Raygun's Olympic breaking broke the internet and continues to polarise
Australia achieved its greatest-ever medal haul at the Paris Olympics, but 12 months on, the enduring memory is of a white, middle-class, 30-something B-girl in a cheap green-and-gold tracksuit crashing out of the breaking competition in the first round. Going by the name Raygun, Rachael Gunn seared herself into the collective imagination with a series of moves that failed to impress the judges but launched a torrent of memes, vitriol, and hot takes. Was she punking the Olympics? Was the routine, with its imitations of kangaroos and sprinklers, ironic – a playfully knowing appropriation of Australian iconography? Or was she simply having an off day? Whatever the case, Gunn's routine, the reaction to it, and how she subsequently carried herself, combined to create a confounding cultural moment. "To be honest, I get mental whiplash thinking about this topic," marketing strategist Christina Aventi tells Australian Story. "It's just a confusing mess. And it's hard to make sense of." There are so many strands to the Raygun phenomenon that it's hard to neatly untangle any of them. Even the initial responses to her routine were wildly varied and often contradictory. Back in Australia, some simply saw it as funny – something in the spirit of Roy and HG's The Dream – and didn't care if it was serious or a piss-take. But for others, the Olympics represent a rare opportunity for Australians to punch above their weight on the global stage, and thanks to Raygun, people all around the world were laughing at us. "It's clear that it really touched a nerve around our cultural, athletic identity," Aventi says. "It was our best performing Olympics yet, that was somewhat overshadowed by this routine that looked more eisteddfod than Olympics." There is, of course, a rich tradition of heroic Olympic failures — think Eddie the Eagle, Eric the Eel, the Jamaican bobsled team, even Australia's own Steven Bradbury, who speed-skated to victory, only because all his competitors crashed out. But as Aventi points out, Gunn does not fit neatly into that pantheon of losers. "They have backstories that people respond to really positively because they're hard-luck stories; they're against-all-the-odds stories," she says. "And in this case, we've got a uni professor who doesn't look like a breaker, who's wearing a green-and-gold tracksuit that looks like it's straight out of Lowes. "It just doesn't quite stack up to some of those other stories we love." Criticism of Raygun's routine did not just come from Australians with a bruised sense of national pride. For some in the international breaking community, her performance was insultingly amateurish. "The anger that came from Raygun's performance at the Olympics comes from a lot of different places," explains New York artist and breaking pioneer Michael Holman. "A slice of that pie came from people who knew what breaking was, saying, 'Wow, you know, that's not great breaking.'" But a bigger issue for Holman — and one that Gunn, an academic interested in the cultural politics of breaking, seemed oddly unprepared for — was that of cultural appropriation and insensitivity. "Part of the magic of hip hop culture is the fact that it was created by marginalised teenagers, poor and working-class black and Puerto Rican kids who came from nothing," Holman says. "So her being white and Australian and jumping around like a kangaroo, that's going to be a loaded gun. "Whether she intended it or not, the end result was mockery." She was ridiculed by US tonight show hosts, eviscerated by countless bloggers, and falsely accused of everything from gaming the system to being responsible for breaking not being part of the 2028 Olympics. There were concerns for her mental health in the days after the event. Australia's Olympic chef de mission Anna Meares defended Gunn publicly, calling out "trolls and keyboard warriors" for their misogyny and abuse. Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came to her defence, although "Raygun had a crack" was perhaps not the most ringing of prime ministerial endorsements. Initially, Gunn seemed to handle the situation well. Although the criticism clearly stung, she appeared willing to make fun of herself, breaking into an impromptu routine and throwing kangaroo poses as the Australian Olympic team prepared for the Closing Ceremony. "I think there was a sense that it was a cultural moment," says journalist Jordan Baker, who covered the Paris Olympics for The Sydney Morning Herald. "She gave an unusual performance. It was fun. We'll rally behind her." It was a musical, of all things, that changed all that. Comedian Stephanie Broadbridge didn't even watch Gunn's Olympic routine but became fascinated by how she handled herself in the aftermath. Broadbridge had been through her own social media pile-on in 2023 when a video of her trying not to laugh as a male comedian told a joke was viewed more than 150 million times, provoking a torrent of cruel and misogynistic comments. She was traumatised by the experience and found something admirable in Gunn's refusal to apologise for herself. "Raygun never backed down, and I was like, I love this. This is such an interesting thing from a woman," Broadbridge says. "Women don't usually behave like that publicly, and I was so excited that there was one around my age doing that." Broadbridge looked at the heightened emotion around the Raygun phenomenon and decided it had all the elements of a musical. "She's the hero that Australia needed; the female Shane Warne. The one that's flawed but we love her anyway," she says. "I wanted to tell that story. I wanted an Australian larrikin story that was a woman." And that's when things got weird. Days before the opening performance of Raygun: The Musical, Broadbridge received a cease-and-desist letter from Gunn's lawyers demanding that the show not go ahead because it violated her intellectual property and could damage her brand. "The dance moves were copyrighted, the silhouette was trademarked. Basically, every element," Broadbridge explains. Baker says this was "the point where a lot of people lost sympathy for Rachael". "People who had backed her the whole way felt like this was a betrayal of their support for her," she says. "When the heavy-handed legal threats started coming, it seemed mean-spirited; it seemed like she was no longer even remotely trying to lean into the joke." When Gunn addressed the outcry in an Instagram video, it only made things worse. It seems that in Australia, a far greater sin than athletic underachievement is taking yourself too seriously. "When she's trying to halt a musical, when she's trying to trademark something like a kangaroo hop, that's about her," Aventi says. "I think if she stood for something a little bit bigger – maybe resilience, strength, owning your own truth – that would have given a different centre of gravity to the story. "I know she's been through a lot, but a little bit more vulnerability might have helped people warm to her a bit more. "I feel really uncomfortable saying that. It's like Lindy Chamberlain all over again – why should we expect someone to be vulnerable? But vulnerability is something that connects and opens people up." Now the dust has settled on Raygun's cultural moment, what have we learned? That Australians don't like people who take themselves too seriously? That we like our athletes to win? That we're suspicious of academics? That the internet expects women to behave in a certain way and reacts violently when they don't? Or was it just, as Shakespeare once wrote, "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing?" In the end, Broadbridge got to keep her musical, albeit with the lead's name changed to Spraygun and the title changed to Breaking: The Musical. And Gunn has her trademarked moves and a great story to tell someday. And after their crash course in public relations, she and her team might get the marketing right when she does. Rachael Gunn declined to be interviewed for this story. Watch Australian Story's Break It Down, 8:00pm, on ABCTV and ABC iview.
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Lewis Bishop swims the lows and highs of life on his way into Aussie Dolphins team set for the World Para Swimming Championships
Aussie World Para Swimming Championship selection, Queensland's Lewis Bishop, knows the highs and lows of life like few others. Why? Because he saw rock bottom, a near-death experience 10 years ago which motivated him to strive for one of his proudest moments - winning at bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games 'There were so many years building up to that moment, and the fact that my parents were there was special,'' said Lewis, a butterfly ace. 'It was my first team and I did not have the expectation of winning a medal so the bronze medal was almost unbelievable at the time.'' To think it was just 10 years ago when Bishop, aged nine, went to hell and back. Bishop, now 19, was living in PNG with his mum and dad, Clare and Damon, where his dad worked in the mines and his mother ran a swimming squad for locals. One day he was out on the water knee boarding with family friends when he jumped into the water and got his leg caught in the propeller. The injuries were so horrific, he was at death's door. 'I almost died,'' 19-year-old Bishop said. He was in a critical condition, flown to Townsville hospital that night, and after a week transported to Brisbane. Bishop had his leg amputated below the knee, but the wound became infected and had to be amputated higher up. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what the bottom of the barrel looks like and Bishop saw it. He then continued to push through more adversity before, 12 operations later, Bishop's life started to swing around. 'Within a few months (after the accident) I was walking again, and a few months after that I was active again back in the pool.'' A bit of tough love from mum helped him get back into the pool. 'I'd like to say mum basically tipped me out of my (wheel) chair and into the pool. 'She said 'you are not going to be sitting around because of your disability'. You are going to be active,'' Bishop recalled. 'I learned to do that (swim) before I learned to walk again.'' First stop in the rebirth of his sporting journey was the Somerville House school pool, not far from the hospital where he was staying. 'I don't remember swimming being too difficult. Obviously the kick was not as strong, but I could float and I made it to the other end, so I was happy.'' Joining Bishop in the water was his mum, Clare. 'As soon as his wounds were healed, I took him in a wheelchair up to Somerville House pool and tipped him in and it was the first time he had probably smiled since the accident,'' Clare said. 'We knew the only way forward was to keep him active the best way we could,'' said his mother Clare. 'It was hard. You want to wrap him up in cotton wool, but we also knew the only way forward was to be mentally engaged. And being a sporting boy, we needed to follow his natural inclination (of being involved in sport). 'He loved the water as a baby. I think he swam before he walked,'' Clare recalled. 'He loves a challenge and he took it.'' Bishop's love of the water came from his time in coastal Gove, the Northern Territory, when his father was working in the mines. 'It was amazing fishing,'' Bishop recalled. From there the family moved to PNG where Bishop's love affair with the water continued. So when he was looking to resume a sporting life following his accident, it was only natural that this water baby hit the pool. Bishop, who attended St Bernard's Primary School and then Clairvaux MacKillop College, trains under Josh Smith at Rackley Swimming Hibiscus. Last week his progression continued when he made the world championship squad headed to Singapore in September. Bishop is a part of the Paralympics Australia's Imagine Education Program which educates students about the Paralympic movement, the Games and Para sports. Paralympians like Bishop from the Queensland Academy of Sport visit primary schools to help break down stigma around disability. Currently, only 25 percent of people with a disability participate in sport and Bishop would like to help that to change. Having once looked up to Olympians and paralympians, Bishop is now one of those young men educating the youth of today about disability in sport. 'I hope to inspire the future generation,'' Bishop said. 'When I was in primary school (at St Bernard's School) and a Paralympian had visited, that would have been pretty special. And now I do that. It is an honour to be able to give back.'' For Bishop, he is only in the middle of his sporting dream. It all started in that Somerville House pool when he entered the water from a wheelchair 10 years ago, it continued in Paris at the Games, and it could end in Brisbane at the 2023 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 'I feel like I am just getting started. Brisbane (2032) is coming up on the horizon so I want to stay around for that.'' Bishop dares to dream because he knows dreams do come true. After all, he is alive, isn't he, he can walk and he can swim - very, very well.
Courier-Mail
5 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
State of Origin move sparks mass uproar as Ashley Klein set to be named for decider despite controversial showing in Game 2, NSW Blues, Queensland Maroons
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Ashley Klein is set to be handed the officiating reins for the State of Origin decider despite his controversial performance in Perth which left New South Wales fans and players outraged. The Blues were on the wrong end of an 8-0 first half penalty count in Game 2, which turned into 9-0 after 45 minutes. By that stage, Queensland were up 26-6. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. In the end, Queensland won 26-24, but the NSW camp felt they were officiated out of the game and scheduled a meeting with NRL management to seek an explanation for several of Klein's controversial calls. The Blues' main gripe was why Klein chose to ignore numerous clear indiscretions by Maroons players while penalising the Blues for similar offences. However, despite the Blues' protests, Code Sports reports Klein will again be in charge of the series decider. Ashley Klein is set to be named as the referee for the State of Origin series decider. Image: Getty That is because the NRL referees are rated under a KPI system by the league and by the numbers Klein is at the top of the list. Categories measured include play-the-ball speed, decision-making, communication, game understanding, accuracy, communication with other officials, consistency, identifying infringements, positioning, game management, ruck communication, positioning, fitness and endurance. His appointment in Sydney will be under heavy scrutiny and will undoubtedly be met with fierce backlash. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY Speaking about his Game 2 performance earlier this week Buzz Rothfield tore into the veteran ref, saying his calls cost the Blues the game and series win in Perth. 'I think NSW were ill-disciplined and I don't have too many problems with the nine penalties they conceded. The problem I do have is that anyone can look at a replay of that first half and find 4-5 areas of the game where Queensland could quite easily have been penalised as well,' Rothfield said. 'In my eyes, he was refereeing one side for the majority of the first half. According to the NRL's performance metrics Ashley Klein is the top ref in the game. (Photo by) 'I know we were ill-disciplined and I'm not blaming it for the loss … but Gordie you cannot be perfect in Origin for 45 minutes. Impossible.' 'It's outrageous that Queensland can play 45 minutes in State of Origin and that intensity, mistakes are made, high speed, high intensity and not one penalty. That cannot happen.' × He also went on to say NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley – who refused to answer any question on the officiating after the Game 2 defeat – was privately furious at Klein. 'Laurie will look at the video and find out what he wants to talk to the NRL about and then take it to adjudication,' Rothfield continued. 'He was furious after the game. Privately furious, but he knows he can't come out and say anything. Not just for the fine, but because it'll look like poor sportsmanship.' And as news of Klein's Game 3 appointment spread NSW fans were unsurprisingly annoyed. 'You've got to be kidding,' one fan wrote. 'What an absolute joke!' another added. While a third commented: 'Surely he's not the best ref we have.' NSW will have a home-ground advantage for the series decider, which will take place at Sydney's Accor Stadium on Wednesday, July 9. Originally published as 'Outrageous': State of Origin move sparks furore as Ashley Klein set to be named for series decider
