Viral breakdancer Raygun will no longer compete after Olympics backlash
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Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, the Australian breakdancer who captured attention worldwide during the Olympic debut of breaking, has announced that she will no longer compete at the professional level. Her decision comes after facing intense backlash over her performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she became the subject of ridicule following a tough showing in the preliminary rounds.
The 37-year-old university lecturer had been a rising star in the breaking community, but her Olympic experience, which saw her lose all three of her round robin battles by a combined score of 54-0, led to a torrent of online criticism. She was mocked for her dancing style, her choice of moves, and even her green team uniform. This backlash, compounded by mainstream media commentary, has left Gunn reeling.
In an emotional interview with 2DayFM, Gunn revealed she would no longer be stepping onto a competitive stage.
“No, I’m not going to compete anymore,” Gunn told the Sydney radio station. “I was planning to keep going, but now it seems really difficult for me to approach a battle. I still dance, and I still break, but that’s just in my living room with my partner.”
She added that the online and media criticism had been deeply upsetting and that she felt powerless in controlling how the public viewed her. “I just didn’t have any control over how people saw me or who I was,” she said.
While Gunn confirmed she would not compete again, she clarified that she would continue to practice breaking privately. Her decision is likely influenced by the intense scrutiny she faced as a result of her Olympic performance, which, despite its challenges, was also a historic moment for the sport. Breaking made its Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games, and Gunn’s participation brought global attention to the dance sport.
The backlash was not only limited to her performance but also spurred controversy regarding her selection for the Games. An online petition alleging that Gunn had manipulated the qualification process for her Olympic spot garnered over 50,000 signatures before being removed at the request of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). The petition also accused Gunn’s husband, Samuel Free, who serves as her coach, of being involved in her selection.
However, the AOC quickly debunked these allegations, denying any improper influence in Gunn’s qualification. Gunn herself dismissed the conspiracy theories, describing them as “totally wild.” She explained that while the criticism hurt, she found solace in the positive messages of support she received.
“I just try and stay on the positives and that’s what gets me through,” Gunn said. “The people who’ve said, ‘you’ve inspired me to do something I’ve been too shy to do,’ or ‘you’ve brought joy and laughter, we’re so proud of you,’ have been the ones who helped me get through this.”
Although breaking will no longer be featured in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Gunn has made it clear she has no plans to return to competition, even if the sport were reinstated in future Games. Her retirement marks the end of her competitive journey in the global spotlight, but she is not stepping away from breaking altogether. For now, she continues to dance for the love of the art form, rather than for medals or scores.
Despite the challenges she’s faced, Gunn’s impact on the breaking community and beyond remains undeniable. Her journey, filled with highs and lows, will continue to inspire many who see in her story the courage to pursue their own passions, regardless of the pressures or criticisms that may come their way.
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