Australian breakdancer Raygun — nee Rachael Gunn — on Thursday said the online reaction to her infamous performance at the Paris Olympics has been “devastating.”
Gunn was eliminated in the preliminary round of the Games’ first breakdancing event after failing to record any points from the judges. The 36-year-old quickly became a social media meme for her unique dance moves.
“I really appreciate the positivity, and I’m glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives. That’s what I hoped,” Gunn said in an Instagram video. “I didn’t realize that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has frankly been pretty devastating.”
The college professor lacked the acrobatic moves that the other breakdancers — known as b-boys and b-girls — displayed in Paris. While medalists like Nicka showed off feats of strength and flexibility, Gunn displayed a more grounded routine that elicited laughs and condemnation online.
“Fascinated by Raygun because she appears to be playing it straight, but her nonfluid movements exactly replicate the cocky but mechanical awkwardness of a comedian doing a dance bit,” American actor James Urbaniak wrote on X. “It makes you laugh by design.”
Gunn, who earned an Olympic spot by winning the Oceania Breaking Championship in 2023, confirmed that she prepared for months before dancing in Paris.
“While I went out there and I had fun, I did take it very seriously,” she said. “I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics, and I gave my all, truly.”
Gunn’s trip to Paris will likely be her final Olympic performance; breakdancing won’t return for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
“I’m honored to have been a part of the Australian Olympic team and to be part of breaking’s Olympic debut,” she said. “What the other athletes have achieved has just been phenomenal.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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