The Paris Olympics this year managed to give audiences several moments that took no time to go viral on social media. But one particularly bizarre performance that stood out was that of Rachael Gunn, the Australian breakdancer, popular as Raygun.
The athlete tumbled into a social media vortex after her incredible breakdancing routines at the 2024 Olympics in Paris created a social media frenzy. Gunn’s three performances on Friday attracted widespread online ridicule for the crudeness in her routines and some bizarre moves, with each drawing a jaw-dropping score of 0 from the judges. She has finally spoken up against the criticism.
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Rachael Gunn Breaks Silence On Her Breakdance Performance At Paris Olympics
Taking to her social media, Rachael Gunn said she is surprised and disappointed by the social media scrutiny she is receiving for her Paris Olympics performance. “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 realize that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has, frankly, been pretty devastating,” Gunn said.
Australian Olympics break-dancer Rachael Gunn, "Raygun" responds to criticism and says the online hate she's getting is 'devastating'… 'please stop'
— Nosy Buzzer (@NosyBuzzer) August 15, 2024
Watch the full 'break dance' video here.. 👇
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'#Raygun #Raygunn #Olympics #PARIS2024 #breakdancing #breakdance #athlete… https://t.co/FHMWCvq0D0 pic.twitter.com/JEKp0e1Qd7
“But 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, truly,” she added.
During a news conference aired on ESPN last Saturday, she clarified that she never lost her poise despite the disheartening reviews she got for the performance. She clarified that her goal was never to get assimilated, but quite the contrary.
“What I wanted to do was come out here and do something new and different and creative—that’s my strength, my creativity,” she said. “I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves, so I wanted to move differently, be artistic and creative, because how many chances do you get that in a lifetime to do that on an international stage,” she said.
While breaking is judged on elements like creativity, technique, and musicality, many online felt Gunn’s routines missed the mark, leading to widespread criticism and harsh responses to her performance.
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Social Media Ridicules Rachael Gunn’s Paris Olympics Performance
Social media users didn’t hold back while slamming breakdancer Rachael Gunn for her breakdance performance. One user wrote on X, “Just because your country CAN send a breakdancer to the Olympics doesn’t mean you SHOULD. This woman Raygun from Australia is the most embarrassing. I ever seen.” Another chimed in, “Australia just set breakdancing back 40 years.”
A third one wrote, “I kinda feel bad for RayGun, the Aussie #BreakingForGold — but that routine was hilariously ridiculous.” Amid the backlash, Australia’s chief de mission, Anna Meares, came to Gunn’s defense, calling the social media reaction “disappointing” and praising Raygun’s courage after the win. “Raygun is an absolutely loved member of this Olympic team. She has represented the Olympic spirit with great enthusiasm,” she said.
Not one to bite her tongue, Gunn also took to Instagram to poke fun at the criticism of her green-and-yellow tracksuit, posting cheekily, “Looking forward to the same level of scrutiny on what the b-boys wear tomorrow.”
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