Australian athlete Rachael “Raygun” Gunn has captured the internet’s attention after her unconventional performance at the Paris Olympics, where she failed to score any points. The 36-year-old breakdancer’s routine, which included head spins, shoulder rolls, and her signature “kangaroo hop,” sparked a mix of reactions online, with many praising her creativity while others questioned her place in the competition.
Despite her efforts, Gunn acknowledged the challenges she faced against more experienced competitors, telling Sky News, “I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best — their power moves. What I bring is creativity.” Her unique approach led to both admiration and criticism, with one fan expressing on X, “I want Raygun, the 36-year-old Australian breakdancer possessed by the spirit of Julia Stiles in Save the Last Dance, to know that I am now her biggest fan and she should never stop doing whatever it is she’s trying to do.”
However, not everyone was as impressed. Some skeptics questioned her qualifications, with one user speculating, “If this Raygun lady turns out to be a comedian who somehow blagged her way through qualifiers and all the way to the Olympics, and was bad on purpose, it will be one of the greatest bits ever achieved.”
In response to the controversy, the sporting body responsible for selecting Australia’s Olympic breakdancers explained the rigorous process. The selection was conducted over two days and was open to all interested participants in the Oceanic region. A panel of nine international adjudicators, along with a head judge and chairperson, used the same judging system as the Paris Games to ensure a fair and transparent outcome. Ultimately, Gunn and her teammate Jeff Dunne were chosen based on their performances during the selection event.
The organization also addressed the online harassment Gunn has faced, condemning the global bullying and standing in solidarity with her. “The pressure to perform on the Olympic stage is immense, especially against the opponents in her particular group,” they stated.
Gunn’s father-in-law, Andrew Free, defended her performance on social media, noting that “the judges were clearly looking for a certain style of breaking which is not Rachael’s.” He argued that while originality and musicality are supposed to be equally weighted in scoring, Gunn’s style may not have been fully appreciated by the judges.
Amid the internet buzz, the World DanceSport Federation’s general secretary, Sergey Nifontov, revealed that Gunn has been offered mental health support in light of the negative attention she received. He emphasized, “That should not happen in our world. Something is going in the wrong direction.”
Gunn, who opted not to return to Australia with her fellow Olympians, shared an encouraging message on Instagram: “Don’t be afraid to be different, go out there and represent yourself, you never know where that’s gonna take you.”
Instead of returning home, Gunn plans to stay in Europe with her husband, Samuel Free, and her parents, likely taking time to unwind after the intense spotlight of her Olympic experience.
