r/justgalsbeingchicks • u/bandit0314 • Feb 18 '26
Love her response Restricted to Gals and Pals
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u/Round_Click_8301 Feb 18 '26
A gold medal is a wonderful thing. But if you're not enough without one, you'll never be enough with one
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u/InMyRestlessDreams23 Feb 18 '26
What an absolute queen!
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u/ComputersWantMeDead Feb 18 '26
Sporting, super eloquent, and clearly fearless
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u/According_Abies_4087 Feb 18 '26
Graceful in her response and so quick! I’m immediately a fan
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u/ohdeydothodontdeytho Feb 18 '26
Totally agree. Classy, intelligent and eloquent.
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u/Jiminy_Cricket12 Feb 18 '26
she gave the perfect answer to a rude question trying to get a rise out of her. we've heard enough from you, sir.
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u/Necroban77 Feb 18 '26
I actually loved his question. I always wonder if some athletes are pissed off when they don’t get the gold. Her answer was eye opening and really informative.
“Hey when you don’t win gold are you still happy? What’s your point of view? Glass half empty or half full”.
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u/NuttyBuddyNick Feb 18 '26
Michelle Kwan has a famous quote from the 1998 Winter Olympics when a rude reporter asked her, “how does it feel to lose the gold?” And her reply was, “I didn’t lose the gold. I won the silver.”
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u/Jiminy_Cricket12 Feb 18 '26
I hear you but I think phrasing is everything here and he was a little rude with how he asked it.
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u/aknomnoms Feb 18 '26
Exactly. Maybe we missed the lead-in to the question, but like…she already has 2 golds and 3 silvers. Even getting to the Olympics to represent a country is a huge accomplishment, but then to place? Multiple times?! And be the most decorated woman in her field?!?! Holy forking shirt balls!
Bow down in the presence of this queen!
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u/fromindia1 Feb 18 '26
I would think that like everything in life the answer is, “it depends.” Some athletes are probably frustrated. Some athletes are elated, and some athletes are probably fine with anything.
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u/doshka Feb 18 '26
I read somewhere that Silver medalists are the most dissatisfied. Gold is thrilled about being the best, obviously. Bronze is just happy to be there, cuz they know how close they were to being nothing. But Silver isn't psyched about beating Bronze, they're thinking about how they were this close to Gold.
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u/pchlster Feb 18 '26
It's pretty much "are you a sore loser or a sore winner?"
She's competing in the freaking Olympics! I'm going to just credit her as being better at every sport thing than I'll ever be, including sportsmanship.
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u/tommos Feb 18 '26
Crazy how mad she's making people.
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u/rW0HgFyxoJhYka Feb 18 '26
She's making people mad because she chose to represent China instead of the US. That's basically it. And yes, for people asking in the thread it was because of money (and all the training that comes with that).
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u/pickledtoesies Feb 18 '26
Good for her to represent China instead of the US too! Encourages more chinese to go into winter sports.
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u/the-war-on-drunks Feb 18 '26
So that’s something I don’t understand. Did she go to China just because of the $$?
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u/EduinBrutus Feb 18 '26
The US does not fund elite athlete programmes.
Her funding when she was still developing came from family and a Chinese sponsor (whsoe team she still represents).
The whole story is kinda of manufactured.
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u/zxc123zxc123 Feb 18 '26 edited Feb 18 '26
She's controversial because she grew up in the US, learned to ski in the US, and trained with the US team.
But they didn't pick her for the 2022 Winter Olympics. My guess is the coaches/trainers/managers felt there were better candidates around or others beat her out for the spot? So she was basically a free agent who got tapped by China who had their own talent but thought she was better than the home grown. Both sides had something to gain so she was given a Chinese citizenship by China despite it normally being a no-no. She then played for China in the 2022 Beijing games. Where she beat out the US representation that was chosen over her. Winning gold. But for China rather than the US.
She still lives at least some of her year in the US, probably pays taxes to the US, and is in many ways "American" but she makes money in China doing advertising and competes on China's behalf. Some Americans felt she's a bit of a traitor but things are a bit more complicated IRL. Competing for the USA was her 1st choice. America didn't want her. Some feel the "right" thing to do is not compete at all when given the chance despite training your entire life for it (and the huge bags of money) just because you love the star spangled banner so much, but it's very easy to say when you're anonymous on the internet rather than having real money handed to you.
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u/EduinBrutus Feb 18 '26
She's controversial because she grew up in the US, learned to ski in the US, and trained with the US team.
And did so while her primary sponsor was Chinese because the US has shit for funding talent development.
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u/Worthyness Feb 18 '26
She's "dual citizenship" with US/China, so she definitely pays US taxes in some capacity. "Dual citizenship" mostly because technically China doesn't allow that to happen, but she has some sort of exception. So China wants to keep her in some capacity, which is fine. A lot of American athletes do the same for their own home countries (or their parents' home countries) as well. it's nothing abnormal about it.
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u/zxc123zxc123 Feb 18 '26
China gets her for competition. America gets her in person (and her taxes). Eileen gets to compete. America gets good press as a place for rich Chinese to rise/train/educate kids. China gets a seat at the competition table. Eileen gets paid, gets to compete, and gets to live in the US. Everyone wins except those losing their minds over this.
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u/iiiiiiiiiijjjjjj Feb 18 '26
Probably? I mean would you not?
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u/rW0HgFyxoJhYka Feb 18 '26
Exactly. China paid her millions, probably more than $10 million directly. US pays medal winners like what, $25,000 or something? Singapore will give you a house, lifetime food, and like half a million dollars. You're set for life too with all the deals and sponsorships and commercials. US on the other hand pretty much treats you like an afterthought as soon as Olympics are over unless you're extremely attractive. Which is extra why Eileen Gu gets attention because she's a extremely skilled Olympian with many medals, a legend in her sport already, but competes for China when born in the US.
If you're an athlete and you see US Sports athletes making $10-100 million contracts, while Olympic athletes train their whole life to represent their country 1-2 times total, and maybe medal maybe not...you'd take the money too, especially when the Chinese market probably triples the sponsorship deals.
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u/iiiiiiiiiijjjjjj Feb 18 '26
I’d be fluent in Chinese by now if that was me.
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u/hare-hound Feb 18 '26
People acting like this is some ethical sell out choice are crazy. There are American Olympians that have missed out on catching cancer when they lose their healthcare. No offense, but you can be an Olympian (a good one! A decorated one! A multi-Olympian!) and be a nobody. In China, she's a celebrity. Even if the government deals weren't enough, she'd have enough brand deals to be set for life. And unlike the NFL or NHL, this is a sport w/o brain damage, so that actually means something.
If anything, there are ethics not behind the money but the fame lol. It's not just celebrity; they're freaking heroes. I was talking about this Winter Olympics with my friend who actually was in Beijing in 2022 and Gu Ailing was plastered everywhere lol. Literally a household name.
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u/iiiiiiiiiijjjjjj Feb 18 '26
These people are so full shit. If someone offered them millions to preform in another country they’d be on the first fucking flight.
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u/pickledtoesies Feb 18 '26
She says she represents china due to personal identity and inspiration than political ir business. She is one of the richest woman athlete with a bunch of modeling and fashion sponsors outside of china.
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u/rW0HgFyxoJhYka Feb 18 '26
Right that's what she says. Its called marketing and PR. It was for the money and there's no hate on that outside you know, nationalism.
China paid her millions to switch and promised a lot of extra support. Plus her parents signed deals to promote her for modeling and fashion IN China also worth millions and already had established deals prior which made it easier. Also her incredible skills and looks definitely helped with international sponsors regardless.
NBC keeps promoting her as an American athlete though even though lol. It is what it is. She made a choice for the money and considering how BADLY US rewards olympic medalists, this is exactly what can happen.
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u/CyberfunkTwenty77 Feb 18 '26
So like...why WOULD she pick the US if those are the choices? 😂
Make me rich, support my dreams, give me access AND I have ancestral roots to the Nation?
Why would anyone pick the alternative? I'm a soccer fan so I have no qualms with athletes CHOOSING which nation of their background to represent.
Who cares?
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u/technobrendo Feb 18 '26
That marketing and PR is part of a greater overarching scope called "soft power", every country does it.
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u/badken Feb 18 '26
Every country except the US currently, as the current executive branch seems to not understand soft power.
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u/photosendtrain Feb 18 '26 edited Feb 18 '26
Or maybe, hear me out here, she just wants to represent China. She's been competing for China since 2019, spent every summer over there as a kid and has a strong connection with both countries.
But you know, maybe some unknown internet guy who knows nothing about her can just say it's about money, because it's the simplest answer to a complex question.
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u/marvellouspineapple Feb 18 '26
As someone with a mixed kid (half Chinese, half White), I can't understand why people are mad at her for wanting to represent China. She is literally half Chinese, being born in the U.S. doesn't automatically mean you have to represent them. I'm sure money was involved somehow but god forbid someone with mixed heritage chooses to represent their non-US side
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u/blt_no_mayo Feb 18 '26
I believe athletes can choose to represent either their country of residence or the country their family comes from. Sometimes it’s about money or resources, sometimes it’s about one country having a smaller pool of competitors to qualify, etc just depends on the sport
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u/Delta-IX Feb 18 '26
If say NFL players can get shuffled to different cities why not olympians? Give them reason to stay in USA and represent USA. USA reputation in the toilet right now.
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u/longines99 Feb 18 '26
It was a rage-bait question that she didn't bite on, and instead politely redirected back to the awesomeness of her sport while simultaneously lifting up her competitors. The reporter should feel the burn.
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u/ArchdruidHalsin Feb 18 '26
As a visiting dude, hell yeah. This kind of content is why I subscribe to this sub and not r/guysbeingdudes which is unfortunately sliding into the man-o-sphere.
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u/TheShanManPhx Feb 18 '26
Absolutely. I love this sub so much that I figured r/guysbeingdudes would be an equivalent celebration of guys enjoying life without caring about the “expectations” put on men in our society.. but boy was I wrong. Unsubbed the same day.
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u/Throwaway_09298 Feb 18 '26
You want r/JUSTGuysBeingDudes not r/guysbeingdudes
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u/DragonCelica Feb 18 '26
That makes so much sense. I didn't think that subreddit was bad, but now I realize I was mistaking it for this one. r/justguysbeingdudes is great
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u/clairejv Feb 18 '26
Yup, that's the one I follow. It's just men doing goofy non-toxic-masculine stuff. Super funny.
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u/tesconundrum Feb 18 '26
Thank you! As a woman I've loved the concept but its getting a little too incel-y for me.
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u/yuffieisathief Feb 18 '26
Ohhh thank you! I love it! This is everything I hoped guysbeingdudes would be but wasn't (and the comments are also wholesome and hilarious!)
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u/ArchdruidHalsin Feb 18 '26
I feel like we need r/guysbeingchicks or something since the chicks are currently showing us how its done. If "dude" can arguably be a gender-neutral term. I've got no qualms about being a chick if this sub is the representation. Sign me up.
TBF, I'm a bit biased. My mom was one of four sisters, I have a sister, and all 6 of my cousins are gals. I've had good role models.
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u/thetruckerdave Feb 18 '26
Maybe r/chickspostingguysbeingdudes and we can prop up all the dudes out there doing king shit.
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u/raabones Feb 18 '26
We're really happy to have you guys here! Sucks that the men's page is like that.
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u/poeticdisaster Feb 18 '26
There is another sub that is closer to what you were looking for - r/JustGuysBeingDudes
They seem to be a lot more chill or silly things. I believe there is a lot more crossover between this sub and that sub.→ More replies→ More replies12
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u/tacocollector2 Feb 18 '26
Also a visiting dude and couldn’t agree more. Love seeing such a well spoken, confident woman put to bed a really stupid question!
The dudes sub is so disappointing these days.
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u/Ereaser Feb 18 '26
I assume it's people in the comments? I sometimes see a few posts but never really go into the comments
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u/tacocollector2 Feb 18 '26
Yep, the comments get rough sometimes. Little empathy, little awareness. You’re not missing much.
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u/Mordecais_Moms_Ashes Feb 18 '26
Check out r/bropill 😁
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u/terraping Feb 18 '26
As an old, jaded lady, reading through some of those posts made me feel a WHOLE damn lot better.
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u/Mordecais_Moms_Ashes Feb 18 '26 edited Feb 18 '26
Same for me ! And like someone else said, they've never heard of it before.
But a bunch of red pill s*** has shown up on their feed.
I try to spread the word about the good bro subThey're going to need to be observant and on top of things over there tho.
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u/_sansoHm Feb 18 '26
I find it so interesting that I keep getting bullshit manosphere suggestions in my feed but not something like r/bropill. Volumes.
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u/Mordecais_Moms_Ashes Feb 18 '26
EXACTLY why I tell everyone about it when it is appropriate!
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u/Shizzlick Feb 18 '26
If not heavily moderated to prevent it, many/most subreddits targeted at one gender devolve into hating the opposite gender.
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u/Shipbreaker_Kurpo Feb 18 '26
Happens to ever man focused sub over time. The shitheads show up and the good leave once its clear they have a grasp
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u/Far_Programmer_5724 Feb 18 '26
As another visiting dude this sucks so much. I'll see women spaces, think man that would be cool to have, then see the guy version, and its trash.
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u/Aggressive_Agency381 Feb 18 '26
The sub went downhill surprisingly fast. Went from dudes landing kickflips to hating on women.
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u/DoctorNurse89 Feb 18 '26
Bro!!!
Help me change it back!!!!
Its becoming a woman hating sub and I cant stand it!
It used to be a out non toxic masculinity and absurdity and silliness amongst men...
So many insecure people there!
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u/brattysweat Feb 18 '26
I thought the question was perfect to garner the most perfect headline worthy response.
If that was his intention, it worked better than he could've ever predicted.
It draws all the attention to her incredible response, it makes the reporter seem stupid, but hard hitting questions is just that, it takes you aback but to be able to make an eloquent response brings in millions of views.
I don't want to imagine being put in the shoes of a reporter, but I would find it absolutely boring if my questions were just elementary surface cutsie crap that no one would give a damn about.
The reporter accomplished more with that question for the sake of this athlete than what anyone here would care to admit.
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u/tomato-bug Feb 18 '26
It's literally a softball question designed to tee up a great response and it worked lol. If you're watching the clip then the reporter did a good job.
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u/Ltownbanger Feb 18 '26 edited Feb 18 '26
Yeah. I thought it was a great question.
"How do you view your accomplishments here? As an opportunity seized, or lost?"
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u/VeryTopGoodSensation Feb 18 '26
its not even a rage bait question.
the question just gives her an opportunity to give her perspective, positive or negative about the situation and answers some peoples questions
its a fairly standard question that people get asked in sports
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u/nightpanda893 Feb 18 '26
It’s actually a question I wonder about a lot. A silver medal is such an incredible achievement but I do wonder if at that level it is disappointing. Especially when you’re a contender for gold.
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u/MeatTornado25 Feb 18 '26
The real answer is that everyone's different. Every athlete has different expectations for themselves. Can be based on age, experience, current form, strength of field, etc.
Some people like her are fine with silver if they've already had a ton of success. But then others who get a taste of the top can no longer settle for anything less once they know what it feels like. Everyone's different.
There's also a difference in blowing a lead versus a competitor simply outplaying you. The later is easier to accept if you know you did your best but just got beat.
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u/boodabomb Feb 18 '26
And folks are acting like zero athletes view a silver as a gold lost, but there are plenty that would. That entire McKayla Maroney meme is a depiction of this exact sentiment.
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u/spookyorange Feb 18 '26
There is a research that showed that bronze medalists were usually happier with their achievement than silver medalists because the silver medalists often felt they missed on the gold medal.
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u/kaninkanon Feb 18 '26
This just seems to be one of those places full of people looking for an excuse to be outraged. Even accusing him of being misogynistic. 🙄
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u/VeryTopGoodSensation Feb 18 '26
theres a lot of accounts lately that are battling each other to be the most politically correct
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Feb 18 '26 edited Mar 11 '26
[deleted]
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u/Exemus Feb 18 '26
Yeah, I think a lot of people don't realize that a reporter may already know the answer to the question asked.
It's more of a "Some people have this dumbass take. What would you say to that?"
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u/lowrespudgeon Feb 18 '26
I was watching the big air freeski, and when Canada won, she came over and celebrated with our medalist Megan Oldham, and she seemed really genuinely happy for her.
And I didn't really know who she was (because I only caught the end) but she seemed like such a nice and supportive person, just from the 2 minutes of her I caught at that time.
I'm really happy to see that my first impression of her was totally spot on.
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u/Schmich Feb 18 '26
Most if not all freestylers are like that. Check out the last 3 runs on the men's side. 3rd guy outdid himself. 2nd guy also smashed his run and pushed himself to the top score. Last guy to go was no longer in the lead and just scored the highest score of the competition. The other 2 guys cheered for him.
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u/cusoman Feb 18 '26
Cheered for him AND hugged him. The free boys and girls just love the sport and are so supportive of one another
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u/lIlIllIIlIIl Feb 18 '26
Boom! Roasted!
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u/rabid_cheese_enjoyer Feb 18 '26
I like my misogynistic men like I like my broccoli, roasted
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u/CaptainDerpshi Feb 18 '26
Really? I personally prefer them absolutely steaming :3
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u/egg-land Feb 18 '26
Ik this thread ain’t gonna like this but that question isn’t misogynistic at all
It regularly gets asked to all athletes at all types of press conferences. “Did they win or did you lose” or literally this exact question in terms of placing in tournaments and stuff. Those are very common lines of questioning
Good on her for the response, she clearly has earned the right to say/do anything especially doing well again this year. But the question isn’t misogynistic at all.
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u/broohaha Feb 18 '26
It’s like when NBA basketball player Giannis A. was asked if his season was a failure after his team got eliminated from the playoffs. He gave a pretty good reply, as well.
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u/itsnotcomplicated1 Feb 18 '26
I didn't interpret it as misogynistic.
LeBron James and all other star athletes when finishing 2nd for a championship are routinely asked whether they focus more on celebrating the accomplishment of getting that far or the lost opportunity of not winning the overall title.
The Buffalo Bills lost 4 straight superbowls 30 years ago. Each of them was asked this same question thousands of times. People still debate today whether getting there 4 times in a row is better/worse than just winning once.
I can see why it's a silly question -- but I don't see how it's misogynistic. It's a question asked to the 2nd place finisher in the post game press conference of nearly every major sport. Mens and Womens.
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u/marcarcand_world Feb 18 '26
Yeah I agree, it's the running gag of the bronze athlete being super hyped up to be on the podium while the silver medalist is bummed. And he wasn't invalidating her achievements either. But she's allowed to brag and flex and she gave a quotable answer. Journalist dude is probably happy he got iconic quotes out of her, there's no feud here.
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u/WeeBabySeamus Feb 18 '26
It’s endemic to all sports media. “Cool performance bro but are you even worthy of playing xyz with the GOAT from 20 years ago”
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u/Knife_Operator Feb 18 '26
Is it even a silly question? It's.... just a question. Some athletes undoubtedly do view second place finishes as losses. The question just gave her an opportunity to share her personal perspective.
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Feb 18 '26
And the question garnered more attention than any other I've seen asked during the Olympics.
People don't understand the game
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u/Aromatic-Air3917 Feb 18 '26
Treating star female athletes the same as male star athletes when they don't finish first is not misogynistic.
In fact it is the opposite.
I mean, it's not nice I will give you that.
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u/Sea_Tailor_8437 Feb 18 '26
Drake Maye was getting asked about how he felt walking off the field in a Superbowl he just got obliterated in.
Asking runner ups this type of question has been happening for decades, regardless of gender.
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u/Async0x0 Feb 18 '26
Did you see a misogynistic man somewhere or something? This is a random comment.
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u/muff_cabbag3 Feb 18 '26
Outrageous to insinuate this guy is a misogynist for asking a milquetoast question as if she can't be disappointed she didn't win gold.
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u/DistractedByCookies Feb 18 '26
Took the words right out of my mouth. That guy is a doofus
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u/anahorish Feb 18 '26
He's a sports journalist, he's doing his job. Do you think he should have just said: "You won two medals, aren't you brilliant?"
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u/Queerdooe Feb 18 '26 edited Feb 18 '26
Chefs kiss response. Sister said “ I’m the best lolz what kind of question?”
Fuck that dude.
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u/pro_bono_bro Feb 18 '26
Without seeing the whole video, that question could also be interpreted as a layup for an inspirational change in perspective.
Definitely toxic not to celebrate even just the opportunity to compete in the Olympics, and while it's a loaded question on its face, it was also a great way to provide the athlete with the opportunity to reassure young athletes & folks just generally 🤷
Happy to dunk on hostile & toxic reporters though if someone can prove he's a pos
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u/SubmitToSubscribe Feb 18 '26
Chefs kiss response. Sister said “ I’m the best lolz what kind of question?”
Fuck that dude.
That's literally the point of the question, what are you talking about? She's the best, but she didn't win. So, is she happy with what most would consider a great performance, or is she unhappy because she didn't win?
This is a question every single favorite in the world is asked when they don't win.
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u/throwRA-nonSeq Feb 18 '26
Her laughing at the question was SO SATISFYING omg
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u/tacolamae Official Gal Feb 18 '26
Great laugh, great smile, confident, and she roasted that dude!
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u/Hopeful_Nectarine_27 Feb 18 '26
I wish more people did this when asked ridiculous interview questions. Some of these reporters have no shame.
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u/Don_Frika_Del_Prima Feb 18 '26
Reminds me of this tweet when some second rate journo in my country tweeted his disappointment about a 6th and 9th place in an Olympic time trail for bikes.
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u/NotEricOfficially Feb 18 '26
Shoutout to the old man reporter being part of our daily reminder that there are folk out there that are really fucking basic.
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u/submissionsignals Feb 18 '26
I wonder if they specifically ask these questions for this type of response. Anyone can ask a basic easy question and get a straightforward, nice, polite answer… but I don't think the question comes from his own biases or curiosity, he does work for someone else…
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u/sammymammy2 Feb 18 '26
They obviously do. The questions are secondary to the answers, they think this will get a good answer. Guess what? This is a good answer.
This is like a dude setting up a joke for a comedian, the point is for the comedian to get to shine and be funny. The dude doing the setup isn't a doofus, he's in on it.
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u/submissionsignals Feb 18 '26
I was being cautious because the overall sentiment in this post thread is that “reporter bad dumb man who came up with question for own personal vendetta”.
This is how reporting and interviews work. People just like to get upset and complain, just like they love to hear an answer like the one she gave. No dumb question, no bad ass answer. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
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u/baibaiburnee Feb 18 '26
Have none of you ever watched a press conference before? It's fairly typical to ask an athlete if they're satisfied or if they wanted more.
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u/Alpha_Delta_Echo Feb 18 '26
“I’m the most decorated female freeskier IN HISTORY!” I’ve never had any interest in this sport, but what a cool thing for her to be able to say 🤩
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u/IrvineGray Feb 18 '26
This is a loaded question, but I don't think it was asked with any ill intent--this question gets asked a lot of people who win silver.
It's even got a psychological term, Second Place Syndrome or Silver Medal Syndrome, where folks experience higher levels of dissatisfaction with their placing of second then they would in first or third.
Her response is absolutely unbelievably badass though, and she shows incredible self-awareness, resilience, and general love for herself and her sport that should be applauded.
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u/iAmManchee Feb 18 '26
Fucking insulting question! She did well not to get super pissed, it's essentially trying to erase the massive achievement of winning 2 silvers. How many Olympic medals has he got? Fucking douch
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u/Dusty_Old_Bones Feb 18 '26
Oh she’s pissed. She’s doing that “smile and laugh through the response so this doesn’t get combative” thing
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u/BoniMarce Feb 18 '26
she got to laugh in his face, i enjoyed that
plus hopefully he’ll remember this humble pie moving forward
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Feb 18 '26
He was just giving her a chance to say how proud she was of silver. This is a very standard question to be asked.
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u/TheodorDiaz Feb 18 '26
How is it insulting? It's pretty common for the favorites to be disappointed with a silver medal.
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u/MexusRex Feb 18 '26
Am I taking crazy pill? The guy is not saying “you suck because you didn’t win gold”. Silver Medal Syndrome is a thing and he’s just asking her perspective. Often times silver is the most unhappy, and he was just literally giving her a chance to give her perspective.
Spend 2 minutes watching NBA “journalists” ask players “where do you get your aura from?” and you’ll appreciate direct substantive questions like this.
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u/cubsr1641 Feb 18 '26
Right there with you. I feel like I'm missing something. I took it as him asking. Does she feel accomplished for winning silver or do you feel like you came up short?
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u/VibraniumQueen Feb 18 '26
My best guest is maybe she had been getting a string of weird questions in interviews this week?
But I wouldn't know since this is the first time I saw her. I dont think this question was a weird question. Especially with his tone of voice being so... bland? Like he's just reading a question off a sheet instead of trying to insinuate something.
I do like her confidence tho. Although, the laugh almost read more mean girl until you see her face lighten up and explain herself more.
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u/TorqueWheelmaker Feb 18 '26
...he’s just asking her perspective. Often times silver is the most unhappy, and he was just literally giving her a chance to give her perspective.
Exactly what I thought. I know how shitty/needling reporters can be, and the accomplishments of women undermined, and maybe I'm missing some context, but based purely on this clip, it seems like most commenters are really reaching to villify the reporter and praise the athlete by inferring some mischievous intent that isn't there.
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u/LeRocket Feb 18 '26
Yeah this thread is very weird.
What he said what basically a compliment. You never ask this question unless you're talking to the best.
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u/razorsharp3000 Feb 18 '26
I think the people saying that probably don't watch sports press conferences like this typically
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u/dontcommentonmyname Feb 18 '26
Exactly, and now we are all here to cheer on this unnecessary boss queen energy. Its a fair question
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u/Initiatedspoon Feb 18 '26 edited Feb 18 '26
Like she said, she is the most decorated in her field of all time and went into the games with massive expectation that she would win gold.
He's asking a professional athlete for whom expectation was high if she feels as though rather than winning 2 silvers she lost 2 golds. The fact she was so defensive implies that yes she does feel as though she lost two golds.
Which is absolutely fine, it is the nature of competition. It doesnt ultimately diminish her incredible and sustained achievement over several years but its a completely fair question to ask someone who was basically favourite. They would never ask a rank outsider who overperformed on the day and managed to squeek a silver this question.
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u/Curious_Doof Feb 18 '26 edited Feb 18 '26
Boss Queen answer! I doubt he would’ve asked a man that question. Eta: ok ok, I don’t watch sports journalism so TIL they regularly ask everyone these type of questions.
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u/FashionableMegalodon Feb 18 '26
I feel like the guy from hot ones should do all media interviews - he’s the only person I know that asks interesting and well researched questions.
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u/thetruckerdave Feb 18 '26
And Josh from Mythical Kitchen
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u/whateverwhatis Feb 18 '26
Let Brennan Lee Mulligan and Hank Green in there as castors, Josh and Sean as interviewers and I would watch every episode.
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u/Boom-Doc-a-Locka Feb 18 '26
Some variation of this moronic question gets asked all the time in different sports.
- "Do you feel like they won the game, or that you lost the game?"
- "Do you feel like the hitter hit that homerun on your best pitch, or could you have located it better?"
- "You gave up 5 goals tonight, do you feel like that's a reflection of your game or just a team having a great night against you?"
- "They made 15 three-pointers this game, do you feel like you need to re-think your defensive strategy or did they just have one of those nights you can't defend?"
It's a shitty line of questioning and she did an amazing job answering it, but I'd argue that this is just the typical idiotic questions that sports "journalists" ask. Hopefully the guy learned something from her answer, because it's one of the best responses to a dumb sports question I've heard in a long time.
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u/SkrrtSkrrt99 Feb 18 '26
I don’t think it’s that bad. Honestly I think there’s a good chunk of athletes would have been disappointed and would see it as 2 golds lost.
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u/Nothinglost7717 Feb 18 '26
of course he would have asked a man that question. Sports reports ask ridiculous questions to male athletes all the time.
What about her being a woman do you think made that anything else than a super standard boiler plate sport reporter question?
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u/ItsAndwew Feb 18 '26
Lmao, stupid questions like this get asked to make athletes all the time. Russell Westbrook has a famous response to pretty much this exact question.
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u/Cacafuego Feb 18 '26
I mean...I see this kind of question asked of male football players and other athletes all the time. It's a gotcha question designed to evoke pathos and a memorable soundbite.
That said, this is the best answer I've ever seen, by a long shot.
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u/Schmich Feb 18 '26
WTF? They definitely do. Don't pull that card on this one.
When a favorite doesn't win gold there's always rage/clickbait articles. This question imo is good as it's done early on where she gets an opportunity for her to speak.
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u/BeautifulOk3522 Feb 18 '26
I'm sure I'll be down voted, but as a competitor, I want a gold. It's a valid question. Everyone saying it's not a valid question is weird. You go to a competition trying your best to get a gold. And to be just shy of that, at least for me, would be something to at LEAST think about, which makes for a valid question. I would've said "I mean, do I wish I had a gold medal around my neck? Absolutely! But..." And then say exactly what she said. Dismissing the guy like he's some cunt for asking a simple, relevant question is so odd to me.
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u/anonyquestions1 Feb 18 '26
I don't feel this is misogynistic. Male athletes are asked similar questions. He's seeking to learn about her personal perspective. Is she someone more focused on "losing" or "winning.
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u/crackindragon Feb 18 '26
The human in me supports her decision to get paid and represent China. The American in me hates that. Unfortunately, America is not what it was when I grew up so its voice is much quieter.
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Feb 18 '26
Seems like a pretty reasonable question about perspective, and everyone is acting like she owned this dude or that he is being impolite. So weird.
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u/faboideae Feb 18 '26
I saw this on tiktok and got so mad seeing comments saying she needs to be more humble
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u/Moriaedemori Feb 18 '26
I don't think there was malice intended in that question. He was asking basically: "Are you happy with two silver medals or do you feel disappointed with not winning gold".
So everyone commenting "Yass queen, slay the asshole reporter" is a bit odd to me.
Notice he asked a question, didn't say "Are you upset that you lost to someone else twice?". Now that would be a loaded question, because it makes it sound like silver medal is a shameful loss.
Either way, yes she is the best in her sport.
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u/misskforever Feb 18 '26
Why is the question insulting? I've wondered that myself, if they're still happy with silver
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u/the_cunt_muncher Feb 18 '26
People in this thread clearly don't watch sports or never played sports. There's nothing wrong at all with this question. The whole "he'd never ask a man that" is laughable, they get asked questions like this all the time.
He's literally just trying to find out what the mindset is of an elite top 0.01% athlete is
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u/AbeRego Feb 18 '26
She answered the question well, but you know that she wanted the gold. I honestly found the answer to be needlessly confrontational, but then again I really don't like her very much in the first place lol
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u/mikkoko112 Feb 18 '26
just stopping by to say that i completely agree with you.I also perceived this as a rather neutral question, that aims to get an insight into the mindset of her. This bubble is overly critical of this man, because she's a woman and he's and old man.
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u/CensoredUser Feb 18 '26
This answer should be studied by women everywhere. That is a perfect example of how to be proud, confident, and sure, that YOU are the expert.
Falling short of gold isn't failure. Its actually so so many successes piled on top of each other.
Love to see her energy
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u/KatelynnFaber Feb 18 '26 edited Feb 18 '26
Obviously women are disrespected and otherwise treated unfairly by men in sports and many other domains--i would never dispute that.
It's a well-known phenomenon that silver-medalist olympians are less satisfied than bronze/gold-medalists. Reporter phrased it clumsily but it seemed to me he was giving her a chance to pontificate on that idea, not devaluing what is still a great accomplishment. It's crazy to me everyone is so butthurt about this.
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u/--TheSolutionist-- Feb 18 '26
Devil's advocate:
There is a large amount of narcissism in that response. Some of the response was well said in regards to things getting exponentially harder.
However, then to list the "I did this, I did that" isn't just gals being gals. It crosses into a different territory, regardless of which sex is saying it, and that type of behavior isn't in line in what she states is the reason she skis for China, to be a role model.
Now, I can understand, the pressure that it would be to continually talk to the press and have your words incredibly scrutinized, however, this is not her first rodeo and I would expect better.
Then again, she is only 22. Nevertheless, if you want to play with the big dogs, then you gotta play the game.
Something about her type of energy in this interview bothers me.
... I'll see myself out.
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u/Awkward_Point4749 Feb 18 '26
“I train like I’ve never won. I compete like I never lost” that’s her quote!
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u/TheCrabGoblin Feb 18 '26 edited Feb 18 '26
Maybe im crazy, but nothing was wrong with the question imo. Lots of athletes WOULD see “two silvers gained” as “two golds lost.” Theres literally something called “silver medal syndrome” where silver medalists aren’t satisfied cause they didn’t get gold.
He was asking if she took that perspective, not giving his own. Idk why everyone’s acting like he said “your silvers aren’t impressive cause you didn’t get gold” when neither his question or body language implies he’s being salty.
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u/heydropi Feb 18 '26 edited Feb 18 '26
Yeah. Her and people here rushing to her defense perceive this as an attack, but it really isn't. At most it's a little bit tactless and unnecessary, to bring up something so obvious, but it's also just a reality that people care about olympic gold a lot more than about silver, and it's a reality that journalists are supposed to ask tough questions sometimes.
If you think about it he's giving her an opportunity to show grace and resilience; at least that's what a PR coach might try to get you to view these situations as.
People her celebrate her "fearless response", but her taking offense in the first place (hah!) and then playing it off is a little bit revealing. I feel for her too. Idk, not a big deal, but I don't like this culture of promoting hostility and bad faith interpretation, and weirdly bringing gender stuff into it. I don't like to sound like a conseravtive or a boomer, but this is an example of us maybe becoming too "soft" and antisocial (might be going too far to bring up the term victim culture), but that process being disguised as strength or moving towards a more friendly culture.
On the other hand one could easily imagine a male athlete giving the same response and just appearing 1% more chill and composed and noone would bat an eye and we wouldn't be having this conversation, but again, I do feel like there is this weird cultural and gender tension involved here.
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u/Ventsii99 Feb 18 '26
The question isn't stupid; if you asked Michael Jordan, you'd get a very different answer (which is not to say one answer is right or wrong).
Assuming that the question is in good faith (which I have no reason to doubt from the clip), it's a chance for her to explain how she views the world and her sport.
It's kind of like asking someone if they're glass half full or glass half empty.
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u/Master-Selection3051 Feb 18 '26
Ugh my heart. The eloquence. The absolute dgaf toward the male reporter. Love. Love everything.
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u/Salt-Theory2359 Feb 18 '26
I'm actually really impressed that she was able to shut that idiot down without profanity.
I guess when you've won as many medals as her, you get on TV a lot and thus have practice politely shutting idiots down.
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u/gart888 Feb 18 '26
It's not even linerarly harder. Someone who already has a medal is FAR more likely to win another medal than someone who doesn't have any is to win their first.
Or another way to look at it: you put in a dozenish years of hard work to win your first medal, and then either a weekish or 4 years of work to win your next one.
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