Australian b-girl Rachel "Raygun" Gunn has spoken out for the first time since her controversial performance in breakdancing's Olympic debut went viral, revealing the challenges she faced and the vitriol she endured.
Australian b-girl Rachel "Raygun" Gunn has given her first interview since her controversial performance in breakdancing's Olympic debut went viral on social media, leaving many viewers wondering how she qualified for the Summer Games.
Speaking to Australia's Network 10, Gunn called the aftermath of the Paris Games "tough." While she couldn't anticipate the reaction to her performance and the global response it would garner, Gunn admitted that going into the competition she knew she was overmatched.
Raygun Reflects on Controversial Olympic Performance, Addresses Criticism
"I knew my chances were slim," she said. "As soon as I qualified, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, what have I done?' because I knew that I was going to get beaten, and I knew people weren’t going to understand my style and what I was going to do."
Gunn is a university lecturer at Macquarie University with a Ph.D. in cultural studies. "Dance" is listed as one of her research interests. Gunn qualified for the Paris Olympics after winning the QMS Oceania Championships in Sydney, Australia and was named the top-ranked b-girl by the Australian Breaking Association in 2020 and 2021.
Raygun Reflects on Controversial Olympic Performance, Addresses Criticism
She became an instant viral sensation after a creative performance that included a "kangaroo dance."
"I wanted to bring out some Australian moves and themes. … That’s the wonderful thing about breaking. You can take inspiration from any source. I had to go with what I was good at. I had to go with my strengths."
Raygun Reflects on Controversial Olympic Performance, Addresses Criticism
Gunn said much of the criticism came from those who didn’t understand the different styles of breaking. She expected that much but didn’t anticipate the amount of vitriol she received
"There's been a portion of very angry and, you know, awful responses, not only attacking me but attacking my husband, attacking my crew, attacking the breaking and street dance community in Australia, my family," she added.
Gunn was swept in all of her battles without ever earning a single point in the round-robin stage.
"I haven’t watched it back, no," Gunn said of her Olympic performance.
It’s not likely the world will get to see her again on the Olympic stage in the near future. Breaking is not on the program for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Gunn's performance sparked a debate about the role of artistry and athleticism in breakdancing, with many questioning whether she deserved to compete at the Olympics. Gunn's experience highlights the challenges faced by athletes who are pushing the boundaries of their sport and the realities of competitive sports.
Despite the criticism, Gunn remains proud of her performance and the message she sent to the world. She hopes that her journey will inspire others to pursue their dreams and to stay true to themselves.
"I hope that my performance showed people that it's okay to be different," she said. "It's okay to not fit in. It's okay to be yourself."
