Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn has described the backlash she has faced since competing in the Paris Olympics as “devastating” and has called for privacy for her family and friends.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, Gunn, known as B-girl Raygun, expressed her appreciation for the positive support she received but was disheartened by the amount of hate she encountered. “I didn’t realize that bringing joy to people’s lives would also open the door to so much hate, which has been frankly devastating,” she said.
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Gunn faced criticism online and in mainstream media after losing all three of her round-robin battles at the Paris Olympics, where breaking made its debut. Despite the criticism, Gunn emphasized that she had worked diligently and enjoyed the competition. “I went out there, had fun, and gave it my all. I took it very seriously and worked hard preparing for the Olympics,” she noted.
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) condemned an online petition calling for an investigation into Gunn’s selection, stating that it was based on falsehoods designed to incite hatred. AOC CEO Matt Carroll criticized the petition as “vexatious, misleading, and bullying,” affirming that Gunn was selected through a transparent and independent process.
Gunn has requested that the media respect her and her loved ones’ privacy, saying, “Please stop harassing my family, 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 for respect for their privacy.”
Gunn plans to take a pre-scheduled holiday in Europe and will address any further questions upon her return to Australia. The Change.org petition demanding Gunn’s apology has garnered over 54,000 signatures, prompting the AOC to request its removal.
Breaking will not be included in the sports program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
