Rachael Gunn, the Australian Olympic breakdancer known as Raygun, has become a divisive figure following her controversial performance at the Paris 2024 Games, where she scored zero points in each of her battles. Concerns about her performance had been raised even before the Games by both her family and her coach, who is also her husband. In an interview before the Olympics, Gunn revealed that her family, while supportive of her return to dancing, preferred that she pursue a more traditional and feminine dance style rather than breakdancing. Her husband, who coached her, also expressed worries about the physical demands of her routine, noting that she was initially cautious due to her lack of upper body strength, a challenge she had been working to overcome for the past 13 years.
Gunn’s polarizing performance led to accusations of her manipulating her way into the Olympics, which were later disproven. A petition against her was also taken offline due to violations related to harassment and spreading false information. Te Hiiritanga Wepiha, an Australian breaking judge and part of the Olympic qualifying panel, defended Gunn, stating that while they knew she would face a tough competition, it was courageous of her to compete.
In response to the backlash, Gunn expressed her disappointment at the amount of hate she received, calling it “pretty devastating.” However, she remained proud of her efforts and honored to have been part of the Australian Olympic team. She emphasized that she took the competition seriously and worked hard to prepare for the Games.
Despite the controversy, Gunn’s journey to the Olympics and the criticisms she has faced highlight the challenges athletes can encounter when stepping into the spotlight, especially in new Olympic sports like breakdancing. Her story underscores the importance of resilience and the personal cost that can come with public scrutiny.
