The backlash faced by breaker Rachael “Raygun” Gunn following her performance at the Paris Olympic Games has led the dancer to step away from the competitive stage.
In an interview with Sydney radio station 2DayFM, Gunn revealed that while she’s still dancing, she no longer plans to compete.
Raygun Quits Breakdancing
“I’m not going to compete anymore, no,” she said. “I was going to keep competing, for sure, but that seems really difficult for me now. It’s hard to approach a battle.” She added, “I still dance, and I still break. But now, it’s more in my living room with my partner.”
Gunn expressed frustration over the criticism, explaining, “It’s been really upsetting. I just didn’t have any control over how people saw me or who I was.”
Later, she clarified she is still going to dance, but not in competitions.
Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn clarifies what she meant when she said she wasn’t going to be breaking anymore, and if we’ll ever see her dance again. pic.twitter.com/G8yRzLt8KK
— The Project (@theprojecttv) November 7, 2024
Raygun’s Controversial Performance
If there was one sport that stirred up debate at Paris 2024, it was breakdancing—thanks to Australian breaker Rachael Gunn. Her unique and unconventional routine, which included kangaroo-like jumps, stretches, and unusual moves, earned her a score of zero, making her a target for widespread criticism and internet memes.
However, the response to Gunn’s performance extended beyond online jokes, sparking a wider debate about breakdancing’s legitimacy as an Olympic sport. Many questioned whether it belonged on such a prestigious stage.
In an Instagram video, Gunn addressed the unexpected wave of negativity, saying, “I never imagined my performance would invite so much hate.”
Despite the criticism, she expressed gratitude for her supporters: “I truly appreciate the positivity from thousands of people and am glad I could bring some joy into their lives. That was my goal. I went out there to have fun, but I also took it very seriously. I worked incredibly hard preparing for the Olympics and gave it my all. I’m honored to have been part of the Australian Olympic team and to have participated in breakdancing’s Olympic debut.”
Gunn also clarified the media’s misrepresentation of her scores, noting, “Here’s a fun fact: there aren’t actually points in breakdancing. If you want to see how the judges rated me compared to my opponents, you can check the comparison percentages on the five criteria at Olympics.com. All the results are there.”
Australian Olympics break-dancer Rachael Gunn, “Raygun” responds to criticism and says the online hate she’s getting is ‘devastating’… ‘please stop’
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‘#Raygun #Raygunn #Olympics #PARIS2024 #breakdancing #breakdance #athlete pic.twitter.com/EJ2xZoBzT9— Nosy Buzzer (@NosyBuzzer) August 15, 2024
She also addressed rumors about manipulating the selection process with her spouse, explaining, “I was selected through a transparent and independent qualification and nomination process. I kindly ask the press to stop harassing my family, friends, the Australian breaking community, and the wider street dance community. Everyone has been deeply affected by this, so please respect their privacy.”
