Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, known as B-girl Raygun, has spoken out against the intense online criticism she faced after her routines at the Paris Olympics went viral. In an Instagram video posted on Thursday, the 36-year-old expressed her appreciation for the support she’s received, but acknowledged that the negative reactions have been “devastating.”
Gunn became a target of memes after a clip of her performance spread online, with one of her moves being nicknamed the “kangaroo” by social media users. Despite the ridicule, Gunn emphasized her pride in representing Australia at the Games and the seriousness with which she approached her Olympic preparations.
She also referenced the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), which supported her selection and condemned the bullying she faced. Earlier, AOC CEO Matt Carroll criticized a petition accusing Gunn of manipulating the selection process, labeling it as “bullying and harassment.” The Australian Breaking Organization also defended Gunn, affirming the fairness of her qualification.
Although Gunn didn’t perform as strongly as some competitors, Olympic breaking competition judge Martin Gilian noted her effort. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also praised her performance. Gunn concluded by requesting privacy for her family and the breaking community, stating that she would answer questions after a break in Europe.
