Australia's Rachel Gunn, competing as "RayGun," became an instant internet sensation after her head-scratching performance in the women's breaking competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Australia's Rachel Gunn, known as "RayGun" in the breaking scene, made an unforgettable Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games. Unfortunately for Gunn, her performance became an instant viral sensation for all the wrong reasons.
Competing in the round-robin stage of the women's breaking competition, Gunn struggled to match the skill level of her opponents. Her attempts to showcase her creativity fell flat, as she failed to score a single point in any of her battles.
Breaking Bad: Australian B-Girl's Disastrous Olympic Performance Goes Viral
Away from the breaking floor, Gunn is a university lecturer at Macquarie University with a Ph.D. in cultural studies. Dance is one of her research interests, and she sees breaking as a unique art form.
Gunn's qualification for the Paris Olympics raised some eyebrows. She won the QMS Oceania Championships in Sydney, but her performance in Paris suggested a significant gap between her and the world's elite b-girls.
Breaking Bad: Australian B-Girl's Disastrous Olympic Performance Goes Viral
In addition to her questionable performance, Gunn also drew attention for her styling choice. While other competitors opted for athletic gear, Gunn wore a tracksuit representing her country.
Social media users were quick to criticize Gunn's performance and her choice of attire. One person wrote, "I kinda feel bad for RayGun, the Aussie [breaker] — but that routine was hilariously ridiculous. Something like this always happens at the Olympics."
Breaking Bad: Australian B-Girl's Disastrous Olympic Performance Goes Viral
Undeterred by the negative feedback, RayGun took to Instagram to defend her performance. "I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best — their power moves," she said. "What I bring is creativity."
The International Olympic Committee allowed competitors to wear custom uniforms in breaking. Gunn was the only athlete to wear a tracksuit, which sparked some online discussion about the level of scrutiny applied to male and female athletes' clothing.
RayGun's disappointing Olympic performance does not necessarily reflect her potential as a b-girl. She is still a highly skilled dancer and a pioneer in the academic study of breaking.
RayGun's viral misadventure at the Paris Olympics serves as a reminder that not all Olympic moments are filled with glory. It also highlights the challenges that lesser-known athletes face in competing against the world's best.
