AOC Seeks Removal of ‘Defamatory’ Petition Against Breaker Raygun

SYDNEY — The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has strongly condemned a widely circulated anonymous online petition that criticizes competitor Rachael Gunn, who participated in the controversial new Olympic sport of breaking during the Paris Games. The AOC labeled the petition as “vexatious, misleading, and bullying.”

Last weekend marked the Olympic debut of breaking, and one of the most memorable moments was the performance of Australian b-girl Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun. The 36-year-old university professor from Sydney delivered a routine that included a “kangaroo dance” and other unconventional moves, resulting in her scoring zero points.

Following her performance, Gunn faced significant backlash, including mockery on a late-night television show in the United States, highlighting the global reaction to her routine.

While still in Paris, Gunn received firm backing from Australian team chef de mission Anna Meares. However, on Thursday, the AOC took a stronger stance against what it termed a wave of false narratives and criticisms aimed at Gunn.

According to AOC CEO Matt Carroll, the organization has formally contacted change.org, the platform that published the petition, demanding its immediate removal. This petition has garnered over 40,000 signatures and alleges that Gunn manipulated the Olympic qualification processes.

Carroll insisted that the petition is rife with inaccuracies intended to incite hatred toward Gunn, who was nominated for the Australian Olympic team through a clear and independent qualification process. He expressed outrage at the fact that such misinformation could be published anonymously, labeling it as an act of bullying and defamation.

“It is disgraceful that these falsehoods concocted by an anonymous person can be published in this way,” Carroll stated. “No athlete who has represented their country at the Olympic Games should be treated in this way.” His comments reflected a larger concern for the wellbeing and dignity of athletes competing on the world stage.

The recent online criticisms have insinuated that the Oceania qualifying event held in Sydney last October was biased in favor of Gunn and raised doubts about the judging that enabled her qualification.

In response to these claims, the AOC clarified that the Oceania qualifying event adhered to the Olympic qualification guidelines set forth by the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) and was approved by the International Olympic Committee. The judging panel for the event consisted of nine independent international judges selected by the WDSF, ensuring an unbiased evaluation process.

Furthermore, there have been unverified social media allegations suggesting that Gunn and her husband, fellow breaker Samuel Free, held official positions within Australian breaking organizations. The AOC firmly denied these claims, stating, “Rachael Gunn holds no position with AUSBreaking or DanceSport Australia in any capacity. She is simply an athlete who competed in the qualifying event which she won.”

As it stands, breaking may be a one-time event at the Olympics. It is not included in the competition roster for the upcoming 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and is also unlikely to feature in the 2032 Games in Brisbane, Australia.

The AOC’s swift response underlines the challenges athletes face not only in competition but also in dealing with public perceptions and misinformation. The organization is advocating for a more respectful environment for all competitors, emphasizing that athletes should be supported and celebrated rather than subjected to harassment and unfounded accusations.