Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, known by her stage name Raygun, has spoken out for the first time since going viral during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Raygun, who represented Australia in the debut of Olympic breakdancing, faced an overwhelming amount of online criticism after her routine scored zero, leading to widespread mockery on social media. In a two-and-a-half-minute video posted to Instagram, Raygun expressed her devastation over the hate she has received, despite her efforts to bring joy through her performance.
In her statement, Raygun thanked those who supported her during the Games and acknowledged the harsh reality that her performance opened the door to negativity. She emphasized that she took the competition seriously, worked hard in preparation, and was honored to be part of the Australian Olympic team. However, the backlash has been difficult for her to handle, and she is now seeking privacy and downtime in Europe.
Raygun also addressed a petition against her, signed by 50,000 people, which accuses her of manipulating the selection process for the Olympics. She referred questions about the petition to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), whose leader, Matt Carroll, has condemned the petition as “appalling” and defamatory. Carroll defended Raygun and the AOC, stating that the allegations are baseless and amount to bullying and harassment.
As Raygun continues to navigate the aftermath of her Olympic experience, she has asked the media to respect the privacy of her family, friends, and the broader street dance community. Despite the challenges, she remains proud of her participation in the Olympics and the positive impact she hoped to achieve.
