Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn has voiced her shock and disappointment over the hate she has received, describing it as emotionally devastating.
Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, known in the breakdancing world as B-girl Raygun, recently spoke out about the intense backlash she faced after competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics. As part of the debut of breakdancing at the Games, Gunn did not advance in her matches, resulting in a surge of criticism and negativity online.
In an Instagram video, Gunn shared her surprise and distress at the hateful messages, noting the significant emotional impact they have had. Despite her rigorous preparation and dedication, Gunn’s performance was criticized by some viewers who felt it fell short.
“I truly appreciate the positivity and am grateful that I could bring some joy to people’s lives,” Gunn said. “I didn’t expect that it would also lead to so much hate, which has been quite devastating. I went out there, had fun, and gave my all. I worked incredibly hard for this opportunity.”
Gunn also addressed the false claims circulating online, including allegations that she and her husband manipulated the selection process for her spot on the Australian Olympic team. These accusations sparked public outrage and led to a Change.org petition demanding an apology. The petition, which accumulated over 54,000 signatures, was eventually removed for spreading misinformation.
In response to these claims, Gunn encouraged people to refer to the official statements from the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and other relevant bodies, which confirmed that her selection was conducted transparently and fairly.
Gunn has requested privacy for herself, her family, and the Australian breakdancing community, emphasizing that the controversy has deeply affected them all. Despite the negative reactions, she remains proud of her Olympic participation and the chance to represent Australia in the sport’s inaugural event.
“I ask the media to stop harassing my family, friends, and the Australian breaking community. Everyone involved has been through a lot because of this situation. Please respect their privacy,” she urged.
AOC chief executive Matt Carroll also condemned the false allegations, calling the petition misleading and defamatory. “It is disgraceful that these falsehoods from an anonymous source have been published,” Carroll said. “This amounts to bullying and harassment and is completely unacceptable. We demand its immediate removal. No athlete representing their country at the Olympics should face such treatment.”
Gunn plans to take some time off to recover from the emotional strain and hopes the media will respect her privacy during this period.