LAST UPDATE | 16 Aug 2024

THE AUSTRALIAN BREAKDANCER who went viral for her performance at the Olympics in Paris has described the “hate” that has followed as “devastating”.

Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun, drew mockery and criticism on social media after her performance in the round robin stage of the B-girls breaking event, losing all three of her bouts.

However, today she shared an emotional video statement in which she said she took the competition “seriously” and “gave my all”.

She said: “I just want to start by thanking all the people who have supported me. I really appreciate the positivity, and I’m glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives.

“That’s what I hoped. I didn’t realise that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has, frankly, been pretty devastating.

“Well, I went out there and I had fun. I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics, and I gave my all.

“I’m honoured to have been a part of the Australian Olympic team and to be part of breaking’s Olympic debut.

“What the other athletes have achieved has just been phenomenal.”

🚨 BREAKING: Controversial Australian Olympics Breakdancer, Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, issues a video statement: “Please stop harassing me! I was just having fun!” pic.twitter.com/PM20jdh2Un

— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) August 15, 2024

Breaking made its Olympic debut in Paris, with Japan’s Ami Yuasa winning gold in the B-girls event.

However, the sport will not return at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

Gunn finished her video statement by saying she would be spending some time in Europe for “a few weeks” and asked the press to respect the privacy of her family, friends and community.

“I’m going to be in Europe for a few weeks for some pre-planned downtime, but 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,” she said.

“Everyone has been through a lot as a result of this, so I ask you to please respect their privacy.

“I’ll be happy to answer more questions on my return to Australia.”

AOC statement

Earlier today, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) decried what it said was a “vexatious, misleading and bullying” petition targeting its athlete. 

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A string of unverified reports have since questioned how Gunn won her spot at the games.

But after a petition circulated calling her appearance and conduct “unethical”, the committee hit back.

It called a Change.org petition, which has garnered 47,000 signatures demanding a public apology from the dancer, “vexatious, misleading and bullying” and demanded it be immediately withdrawn.

“The petition contains numerous falsehoods designed to engender hatred against an athlete who was selected in the Australian Olympic Team through a transparent and independent qualification event and nomination process,” the committee said.

Gunn’s kangaroo-mimicking moves and slightly passe green Australia-logoed tracksuit have even been parodied worldwide, including by late-night US television host Jimmy Fallon.

But she has also won the backing of fellow Australian Olympians, including double gold-winning canoeist Jess Fox.

“People are so quick to be awful. She doesn’t deserve that,” Fox said on returning to Australia yesterday. 

With reporting by AFP