Olympic Breakdancer Raygun Addresses Criticism: ‘My Hard Work Speaks for Itself

Raygun, the Australian breakdancing Olympian who made headlines for scoring zero points during the 2024 Paris Olympics, is speaking out against the backlash she has faced since the event. The athlete, whose real name is Rachael Gunn, went viral not only for her performance but also for the controversy surrounding her selection for the Australian Olympic Team.

In a heartfelt video posted to Instagram on Thursday, Gunn expressed gratitude to her supporters while addressing the overwhelming negativity that has followed her Olympic debut. “Hi everyone, Raygun here. I just want to start by thanking all the people who have supported me,” she began. “I really appreciate the positivity and I’m glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives. That’s what I hoped.”

However, Gunn also acknowledged the darker side of her newfound fame. “I didn’t realize that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has frankly been pretty devastating,” she said. Gunn emphasized that despite the criticism, she took the competition seriously and worked tirelessly to prepare for the Olympics. “I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics and I gave my all, truly. I’m honored to have been a part of the Australian Olympic Team and to be part of breaking’s Olympic debut.”

The controversy surrounding Gunn’s participation reached a boiling point when a change.org petition, which garnered over 50,000 signatures, called for an investigation into her selection for the Paris Olympics. The petition alleged that Gunn and her husband, Samuel Free, who also served as her coach, were involved in manipulating the selection process.

In response, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) strongly condemned the petition, with AOC chief executive Matt Carroll denouncing it as “vexatious, misleading, and bullying.” Carroll stated, “It is disgraceful that these falsehoods concocted by an anonymous person can be published in this way. It amounts to bullying and harassment and is defamatory. We are demanding that it be removed from the site immediately. No athlete who has represented their country at the Olympic Games should be treated in this way.”

Despite the petition being removed from the platform, the creator, identified only as “Someone who REALLY hates corruption,” restarted the petition with slightly altered wording. The renewed petition underscores the ongoing controversy and the intense scrutiny Gunn continues to face.

In her Instagram video, Gunn also called on the press to stop harassing her family, friends, 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,” she said, adding that she would be open to answering more questions upon her return to Australia.

Beyond her Olympic journey, Gunn is a university lecturer with a PhD in Cultural Studies, having authored a dissertation titled “Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney’s Breakdancing Scene: A B-girl’s Experience of B-boying.” Her academic background highlights her deep commitment to the breakdancing community, making the backlash even more personal and painful.

As the first-ever Olympic breakdancing competition fades into history, it is worth noting that the sport will not be included in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Gunn’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the challenges athletes face, both on and off the stage, in the era of viral fame and social media scrutiny.

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