Paris Olympics 2024: Australian breakdancer Raygun stands firm amid paris criticism
Xtra Time Web Desk: Australian breakdancer Rachael "Raygun" Gunn has responded to the backlash she faced after her performance at the Paris Olympics, attributing much of the criticism to a lack of understanding of the sport.
Gunn, a university lecturer, lost all three of her round-robin battles, scoring 54-0 in breakdancing’s Olympic debut at the Place de la Concorde. The 37-year-old was mocked online and in the media, with criticism directed at her moves and her team uniform.
Read More:
Paralympics 2024: Discover Sachin Khilari, the Indian Shot Put sensation who bagged Silver
In an interview with Channel 10, Gunn called the criticism “alarming” but defended her credentials. "I knew the odds were against me going into the competition, but I maintain that I am the best female breaker in Australia," she said, pointing out that she was the top-ranked Australian B-girl in 2020, 2022, and 2023.
While she received support, Gunn was disheartened by negative feedback from fellow Australian breakers. "I am very sorry for the backlash that the community has experienced, but I can't control how people react," she said.
Read More:
Paralympics 2024: Sheetal Devi rallies behind Harvinder Singh’s golden victory
Gunn also emphasized the need for more resources for breakers in Australia. She attributed the criticism to a lack of familiarity with breakdancing. "It was really sad how much hate it evoked," she said.
An online petition accusing Gunn of manipulating her Olympic qualification, which gathered 50,000 signatures, was later removed by the Australian Olympic Committee. Despite the challenges, Gunn remains optimistic, stating, "I'll survive, I'm all right."
