Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty
Olympic Australian Breakdancer, Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, Give Emotional Plea
In the wake of her controversial performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Australian breakdancer Rachael “Raygun” Gunn took to Instagram to address the rollercoaster of emotions she has experienced post her Olympic performance.
The 36-year-old college professor, who is also a trailblazer in the breakdancing community, shared a candid video with her followers, expressing both gratitude and heartfelt pleas amidst the storm of reactions. (video below)
Raygun, who competed in the Breaking B-Girls Round Robin Group B battle, became an unexpected viral sensation.
Her performance, which some critics deemed underwhelming, quickly turned into a meme-generating phenomenon on social media.
me forcing my mom to watch the dance i made up in the pool pic.twitter.com/zbtwEFjpTG
— kenzi (@kenzianidiot) August 9, 2024
Despite the onslaught of ridicule, Gunn’s post aimed to highlight the positive aspects while also addressing the overwhelming negativity she faced.
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Gunn’s message didn’t stop at expressing gratitude.
She also made an earnest plea to the media, which she felt had crossed boundaries in their pursuit of a story.
“I’d really like to ask the press to please stop harassing my family, my friends, the Australian breaking community, and the broader street dance community. Everyone has been through a lot as a result of this, so I ask you to please respect their privacy.”
The backlash wasn’t limited to just criticism of her performance. Gunn faced unfounded allegations about her qualification for the Olympics, with some accusing her of manipulating the process for personal gain. These claims have since been debunked, but the shadow of doubt still lingers.
“In regards to the allegations and misinformation floating around, I’d like to ask everyone to refer to the recent statement made by the AOC as well as the posts on the AUSBreaking Instagram page and the WDSF Breaking for Gold page,” Gunn clarified in her video.
Supporting Gunn, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) issued a strong statement condemning the false allegations.
“It is disgraceful that these falsehoods concocted by an anonymous person can be published in this way,” said AOC Chief Executive Officer Matt Carroll. “It amounts to bullying and harassment and is defamatory. No athlete who has represented their country at the Olympic Games should be treated in this way.”
Despite the negativity, Gunn remains proud of her Olympic journey. A lecturer at Macquarie University in Sydney with a doctorate in cultural studies, she balanced her academic career with her passion for breakdancing.
“I went out there and I had fun, I did take it very seriously,” she reflected. “I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics and I gave my all, truly.”
Her Instagram post not only highlights the challenges faced by athletes in the digital age but also serves as a call for empathy and respect. As she continues to inspire both in the classroom and on the dance floor, Gunn’s journey is far from over, and her message of positivity amidst adversity resonates deeply.
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