Raygun Responds After Her Unusual Olympic Routine Gets Criticized

Rachael “Raygun” Gunn feels that the “hate” she’s receiving is spiraling out of control.

The Australian breaker went incredibly viral last weekend due to her unique routine at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which featured several moves she claims to have invented herself, including using Tyrannosaurus rex arms and some kangaroo hops.

B-girl Raygun of Team Australia competes in breaking on Aug. 9 at the Paris Olympics.

Dressed in a green tracksuit that comedian Josh Johnson likened to attire from “Squid Game,” Gunn’s routine on the global stage appeared so amateurish and bizarre that she was swiftly roasted online by many viewers.

After days of ridicule, Gunn posted a video statement on her Instagram account on Thursday, where she addressed the criticism, defended against favoritism allegations, and requested privacy.

“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.

“I didn’t realize that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has frankly been pretty devastating. 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. “I’m honored to have been a part of the Australian Olympic Team and to be part of breaking’s Olympic debut.”

Following Raygun’s performance, rumors emerged online suggesting she manipulated the Olympics’ selection process to earn her spot on Team Australia. A now deleted-post on Reddit even claimed that Gunn and her husband and coach, Samuel Free, were founders of the Australian Breaking Association, which played a role in the selection process.

The Sydney Morning Herald confirmed they are not. Lowe Napalan, another Australian breaking champion, was the actual founder.

On Tuesday, the Australian breaking organization AUSBreak also discredited claims that Raygun conned her way into the competition. The organization confirmed in a statement that the selection process for the Games adhered to the “World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) regulations, which align with International Olympic Committee (IOC) standards” to “ensure a fair and transparent outcome.” They also condemned “the global online harassment and bullying of Raygun.”

Rachael Gunn at an April portrait session in Sydney.

In her video statement, Gunn asked skeptics to refer to statements by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), as well as posts on the AUSbreaking Instagram page and the WDSF Breaking for Gold page.

Gunn concluded her video by mentioning she was planning to take some downtime for the next few weeks and urged the media and public to reduce their hostility.

“I’d really like to ask the press to please stop harassing my family, my friends, the Australian Breaking community and the broader street dance community,” she said. “Everyone has been through a lot as a result of this, so I ask you to please respect their privacy.

“I’ll be happy to answer more questions on my return to Australia. Thanks, everyone.”

Source: HuffPost, The Sydney Morning Herald