Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, known as Raygun, recently spoke out about the negative backlash she received following her Olympic breaking performance. Gunn, who received zero points from judges in her Olympic debut, expressed that the level of hate she received was devastating. The 36-year-old emphasized that she took the competition seriously and gave it her best effort, despite the ridicule she faced.
The sport of breaking made its Olympic debut in Paris, with Gunn’s performance drawing viral attention. However, she faced mockery and criticism for her routine, including a parody on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in the United States. Gunn addressed the abuse she faced in a video posted on Instagram, asking the press to stop harassing her family, friends, and the breaking community.
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) condemned an online petition calling for an investigation into Gunn’s selection for the Olympics, stating that it contained false information and incited hatred towards her. AOC CEO Matt Carroll defended Gunn’s selection process, calling the petition misleading and bullying. The petition was removed from the platform after the AOC requested its removal.
Gunn, who plans to take a few weeks of holiday in Europe, stated that she would address any further questions upon her return to Australia. Breaking is not included in the sports programme for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Gunn’s message to the public emphasizes the importance of respecting privacy and not engaging in online bullying.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
