Bradley Wiggins' Gold Medal Podium Reaction Is Upsetting Some People

'Anyman [sic] who cannot respect the monarchy has no place in my heart.'

While it was wonderful to see the GB men’s team take gold in the team pursuit, Bradley Wiggins’ podium performance was probably the best moment of the entire thing.

Sir Bradley had just been presented his fifth gold medal - his eighth medal of any colour since 2000 - after a thrilling track cycling men’s team pursuit victory over Australia.

But while the playing of the national anthem is usually a moment for quiet reflection, the Knight of the Realm opted instead for a rather unorthodox response.

Bradley Wiggins 😝😝😝

More on GB's team pursuit gold at #rio2016 : https://t.co/AWGOqEz0xf https://t.co/iSCW4QSmt0

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 12, 2016

His team mates cracked up at Wiggins’ behaviour - but it seems some people aren’t so impressed after all.

On Twitter, users expressed their disapproval, with some even going as far as calling for him to be stripped of his medals...

lost all respect for *sir* bradley wiggins tonight. anyman who cannot respect the monarchy has no place in my heart. i feel sick. wounded

— sam (@samberry__) August 12, 2016

i'd revoke all of Bradley Wiggins medals and send him out to serve with our brave troops until he learns how to respect Her Majesty

— ben (@henbimsworth) August 12, 2016

Bradley Wiggins pulling a silly face on the Olympic podium, so disrespectful, might be a Sir on the outside, total wanker on the inside

— englandibelieve (@englandibelieve) August 13, 2016

@dianne_gibbons disappointed in the behaviour of Sir Bradley Wiggins during the national anthem disrespectful I feel

— dianne gibbons MBE (@dianne_gibbons) August 13, 2016

Your Nations anthem is playing, not only are you not singing it Bradley Wiggins but to stick your tongue out 😡 #disrespectful @BBCRio2016

— Nicola Marshall (@NicMarshall2209) August 12, 2016

Not cool #BradleyWiggins. Totally disrespectful during national anthem. And you're a knight of the realm #Rio2016

— Fiona Gordon (@fjane_gordon) August 12, 2016

But while his critics fumed, others clearly enjoyed the moment.

Many tweeted their approval...

Actually crying at Bradley Wiggins, that was hilarious😂😂 #Olympics

— Natasha Taylor (@natashataylor99) August 12, 2016

Bradley wiggins pulled a face 😂👏 #respect

— Paddy (@Paddy1996_) August 12, 2016

That Bradley Wiggins moment on the podium was hilarious, what a legend. 🇬🇧🚲

— Gems (@gemfleur) August 12, 2016

Just seen the clip of #BradleyWiggins at national anthem. Brilliant stuff. So funny.

— michael healy (@michly123) August 13, 2016

He's the most decorated British Olympian of all time. If he wants to pull a funny face on the podium, I say we let him! #BradleyWiggins

— Kirsteen Thorne (@kethorne1) August 13, 2016

This isn’t the first time Wiggins has divided opinion when it comes to the national anthem.

Wiggins came under fire from Piers Morgan in 2012 for not singing along.

He said he was “very disappointed” that Wiggins didn’t sing and told him to “Show some respect to our Monarch please”.

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