Raygun breaks silence over Olympic breakdancing backlash: ‘Please stop’

Embattled Olympian Rachael “Raygun” Gunn spoke out for the first time Thursday as the backlash from her breaking Paris Games performance intensifies.

Appearing in an Instagram Video, the Australian — who went viral last week during the Olympics’ inaugural breakdancing competition, where she lost three matches — said she “didn’t realize” what unfolded in Paris “would also open the door to so much hate,” which she called “pretty devastating.”

“Hi everyone, Raygun here. I just want to start by thanking all the people who have supported me, I really appreciate the positivity and I’m glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives, that’s what I hoped,” the 36-year-old Gunn began.

Gunn then addressed the “allegations and misinformation floating around” in the wake of her widely criticized performance, including an online petition the Australian Olympic Committee has since denounced.

#austrlia #breakdancing #breakdancingolympics #olympics #olympics2024 #parisolympics #parisolympics2024 #raygun #raygunbreakdancing #austalianbreakdancing #australianbreakdancer #breakdancer #olympicsbreakdancing

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[MrSpelling]

Imagine if you qualified for the Olympics in the 10 m diving platform and proceeded to do a cannonball into the pool. What would the reaction be?

[VG-czyg]

It is not hate Rachel Gunn, it is criticism that we as Australian taxpayers have the right to do as taxpayer money was used to send you to France.

[IceManLikeGervin]

Raygun stole her Olympic spot through the Olympic qualifying process thus denying a more deserving individual a chance at representing Australia in Paris. Many of Australia's best female breakers were excluded from the qualifying process which was controlled by Raygun/husband's organization. Raygun did all this in order to enhance her academic profile. But instead she made a mockery of the artform in front of a global audience while disrespecting Hip-Hop culture. Now we have people questioning why breaking was made an Olympic sport all because of her buffoonery in Paris. We are talking about her not the winners of breaking medals. Her/husband have received over $300, 000 in taxpayer money since she started breaking 10 years ago at age 26 to fund her academic (cultural studies) research and for the founding their dance organization. This is "cultural appropriation" in real time. She's a "culture vulture"!

[shanebarden]

You wasted the opportunity for someone who takes the sport far mor seriously - how did you even qualify? Such a waste of time. You put yourself on the stage of the biggest sporting event and got judged and now don't want the attention that comes with making a joke of the Olympics.

[mayer]

I think Australia is TROLLING the entire world, with this one!

[willraee]

That fact that she takes herself so seriously is mind boggling. She sucked and I guess cheated her way in. She should be ashamed. Not acting like she’s a victim. Disgraceful.

[lebonsimon]

She stole the spot light of all those that really put in effort to compete for a medal in the prestigious Olympic games & she wants her privacy now 😅

[grumblekin]

The human embodiment of a participation award ahaha....such a shame. "I worked my butt off." Whereas real athletes are like, "you just worked your butt off? Huh. We gave up our entire lives for this pursuit. You can tell because we are literally better at what we do than the rest of world." Meanwhile Raygun: "ya but guys...my butt!"

[GenesisXTRM]

She should be damn ashamed of herself. She made a mockery of an incredible culture and ruined the opportunity for millions of amazing breakdancers out there to compete on an amazing stage...shame on her...

[rxqidud]

How a PHD in breakdancing even exist??

[helenliu]

she is not qualified for the phd either

[Jaydo]

If she was our only pick then you'd understand more. Look up Holly Molly vs Raygun they battled and she clearly outpeformed her yet the judges awarded it to Raygun. Its all very fishy

[johno]

Raygun is a serious athlete, I've seen her practising the 'sprinkler' and 'Kangaroo hop' moves at a 80's night at our local pub. 🇦🇺

[dr]

No hate was given. You don’t hate your kid when you let them know that’s not it.

[helenliu]

this is a part of her breaking dance performance

[castlebilliards]

The crane stance bit was my favourite part 😂

[danielfallu]

Legal action should be taken against her. She should be required to repay the entire trip and be banned from competing in Break in Australia.

[AlexAnder-rvgu]

"I am honoured to have put myself on the Australian Olympic team" -- there, I fixed your mistake :) You're welcome.

[victorjames]

🦉🐯 Simple narcissist who, with the aid of her partner, allegedly misused funds and sidelined her talented opponents.

[larpsim]

Her husband should have reviewed her dance before she went out there.