Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, the Australian breakdancer who became the centre of a viral storm following her Olympic debut in Paris, says the fallout from her routine has been unexpected and devastating.
In a video posted to Instagram, the Macquarie University lecturer and Olympic debutant expressed gratitude for the support she received but conceded the unexpected backlash had taken its toll.
“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,” she began. However, Gunn acknowledged the darker side of her newfound fame, stating, “I didn’t realise that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has frankly been pretty devastating.”
Despite the internet mockery, the 35-year-old breakdancer insists she took her Olympics debut seriously.
“While 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.”
Raygun
She went on to address the swirling allegations and misinformation that have dominated headlines in the days following her routine.
She directed people to official sources for accurate information: “In regards to the allegations and misinformation floating around, I’d like to ask everyone to please refer to the recent statement made by the AOC as well as the posts on the AusBreaking Instagram page, as well as the WDSF Breaking for Gold page.”
“I’m going to be in Europe for a few weeks for some pre-planned downtime but 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. Everyone has been through a lot as a result of this, so I ask you to please respect their privacy.”
What is the Raygun controversy?
Raygun’s Olympic journey has been marked by controversy from the start. After her performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, she became an internet sensation—not for her athletic prowess, but for the wave of memes that mocked her unique style.
Despite her best efforts, she finished the round-robin stage without scoring a point, drawing both support and scorn from the global audience.
The backlash was not limited to social media. An anonymous online petition emerged, accusing Raygun of unethical conduct in securing her Olympic spot. The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) swiftly condemned the petition, labelling it as defamatory and urging its immediate removal.
AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll came out in defence of Gunn, stating that the petition is not only false but also harmful. “This petition amounts to bullying and harassment,” Carroll said.
“It is disgraceful that these baseless accusations can be spread in such a manner. Dr Rachael Gunn was selected through a transparent and independent process, and there is no truth to the claims made in this petition.”
