The USA has fallen head over heels for an iconic Australian Olympic moment, and it's even more captivating than they remembered. With the Winter Olympics in full swing, Americans have seemingly just discovered one of the most renowned tales in Australian sporting history. Australia has been in the spotlight at the Milano-Cortina Games, thanks to the nation's best-ever performance on the snow and ice. But here's where it gets controversial... While the Aussies have been basking in the glory of their gold medals, many Americans are now questioning how a sun-soaked nation can perform so well on the snow. This investigation has taken social media users back 24 years to Australia's first-ever Winter Olympic gold medal. 'Doing a Bradbury' has been a part of the Australian vernacular for more than two decades after Steven Bradbury claimed speed skating gold in Salt Lake City in 2002. Even though it happened in their own country, many Americans were unaware that Bradbury became an Olympic champion in the most extraordinary of circumstances - crossing the line first after all four of his rival competitors in front of him crashed out on the final lap. Videos of Bradbury's gold medal-winning moment have gone viral on social media. However, they're also pointing out that the story is much cooler than you think. 'It annoys me that so many people are under the impression that this guy, Steven Bradbury, is some subpar goober who lucked his way into gold,' Charlotte Clymer tweeted. 'That could not be further from the truth. 'This is one of the most satisfying victories in the history of the Olympics if you know the full backstory.' She explained how Bradbury was a genuine gold medal chance at the 1994 Olympics, but was illegally pushed by an opponent, and was unlucky to be involved in a 1998 Games crash, along with several horrific injuries which saw doctors tell him to stop skating. Yet he worked out a plan in 2002, when he was past his prime, to remain back from the pack and take advantage. 'This victory was not some un-athletic schlub lucking his way into gold,' she said. 'It was a journeyman athlete who never gave up and played smart after a career of shitty luck and finally got his due after it being snatched away from him so many times. 'Hands down, one of my favorite Olympics stories.' So, the next time you hear someone say 'Doing a Bradbury,' you'll know the full story behind this iconic Australian moment. And this is the part most people miss... What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with this controversial interpretation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
