Featured Image Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Instagram/Raygun
Topics: Australia, Olympics, Social Media, Sport
Tom Earnshaw
Topics: Australia, Olympics, Social Media, Sport
Australian breakdancer Raygun has issued a statement after going viral in the 2024 Paris Olympics for her routine.
Posting a video to Instagram that is almost two and a half minutes long, the Aussie said she was left 'devastated by the hate' she has received online.
Real name Rachael Gunn, she thanked everyone who supported her during the Paris Games, appreciating their 'positivity'.
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The 36-year-old said she didn't realise that the 'joy she brought' in to people's lives would also open the door to people mocking her routine.
Watch the full statement here:
"I wanted to start by thanking all the people who supported me. I really appreciate the positivity and was glad I was able to bring some joy in to your lives. That's what I hoped," Raygun said.
"I didn't realise that would also open the door to so much hate which has frankly been pretty devastating.
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"I went out there and I had fun. I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off working for the Olympics. I gave my all, truly.
"Im honoured to have been a part of the Australian Olympic team and breaking Olympic debut. What the other athletes have achieved has been phenomenal."
In revealing she will spend the next few weeks in Europe for some 'pre-planned downtime', Raygun urged the media to 'stop harassing my family, my friends, the Australian breaking community and the broader street dance community'.
"Please respect their privacy," she said.
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Raygun also spoke out on the petition that has been launched against her, signed by 50,000 people.
She provided no further comment at this stage, instead referring people to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and its comment on the matter.
The petition alleges - without evidence - that Raygun 'manipulated the selection process to her own advantage', with it demanding a public apology from her and Paris Chef de Mission Meares 'for misleading the Australian public and attempting to gaslight the public and undermining the efforts of genuine athletes'.
AOC boss Matt Caroll lambasted the petition as 'appalling', adding: "The AOC is particularly offended by the affront to our Chef de Mission, Anna Meares. The Australian Team Chef de Mission played no role in the qualification events nor the nomination of athletes to the AOC Selection Committee, of which the Chef and I are members.
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"It is disgraceful that these falsehoods concocted by an anonymous person can be published in this way. It amounts to bullying and harassment and is defamatory. We are demanding that it be removed from the site immediately."
During the women's breaking competition at the Olympics, Raygun scored zero in her bout which went viral across multiple social media platforms.