mocked during the Olympics, Australian B-girl Raygun stops the competition

The Australian breaker explains that she was upset by the wave of mostly negative reactions to her performance at the Paris Olympics.

Ridiculed by some, acclaimed by others for her unique performance at the Paris Olympic Games, where she did not win any of her three face-to-face matches, Rachael “Raygun” Gunn announced, Thursday, November 7, that she stopped the competitions, on the airwaves of Australian radio 2DayFM. His performances were the subject of virulent criticism and mockery on social networks. Lecturer at the University of Sydney says she is touched by reactions “really upsetting”.

Raygun’s moves, including his imitation of a kangaroo, and his Australian-colored tracksuit have been parodied around the world, including by American television host Jimmy Fallon. “I was really preparing to continue competing, but now it seems to be a really difficult thing for me”confided the Australian on Wednesday.

With this level of attention, people filming his performance and posting it online, “it just wouldn’t be the same experience“, she said. The breaker had previously said she had not imagined that her performance would open the door “so much hatred, which was honestly quite devastating”.

Made fun of, the breaker received the support of Australian athletes and the Prime Minister of her country. “I worked really hard to prepare for the Olympics and I gave it everything I had, really”she assured.

In September, the World Dancesport Federation (WDSF) named her the best breaker in the world, based on events organized between December 2023 and the Games, such as the Oceania Championship from which she emerged victorious during this period.