Raygun, the Australian breakdancer, found herself in the middle of a bustling Paris stage where she proudly represented her country in the Olympic's first-ever Breaking competition. Showcasing her talent at the 2024 Paris Olympics had been a dream come true - a nightmare she hadn't anticipated.
Rachael Gunn, B-Girl Raygun, as she's known in the breakdancing world, has always been passionate about her craft. She's spent countless hours perfecting moves and striving to push the boundaries of what's possible. But all that work didn't stop critics from coming after her following her Olympic debut.
The 36-year-old went winless with a score of 18-0 in her breakdance battles, with both social media and mainstream outlets piling on in response. Many online demanded an apology from her for allegedly manipulating the Olympic selection process in Australia's favor.
Raygun's Appeal to Stop Online Hate
Raygun's Instagram post, in which she pleaded for privacy for her family and friends, was a heartfelt cry for help. She had never intended to bring shame to her country or her sport, and the constant barrage of hate had taken a devastating toll on her mental health.
"I really appreciate the positivity and I'm glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives. That's what I hoped," Gunn said in an Instagram post on Thursday. "I didn't realise that would also open the door to so much hate which has, frankly, been pretty devastating."
Gun said that she took her performance very seriously, and she went there to have fun and "worked her butt off" preparing. But despite giving her all, Gunn received backlash.
"I'd really like to ask the press to please stop harassing my family, my friends, the Australian breaking community, and the broader street dance community. Everyone has been through a lot due to this, so I ask you to please respect their privacy, Gunn added.
ALSO READ: 'This is a hate crime': Internet loses it over Olympic breakdancing debut
(Photo : Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Questions for Gunn's Selection
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) defended its decision, saying there is no basis behind these claims by an anonymous petition demanding investigations into Australia's selection process for the Paris Olympics. The AOC chief executive, Matt Carroll, had described the petition as "vexatious, misleading, and bullying," and had urged the public to respect Raygun's privacy.
As Raygun stood in the Olympics, she knew she had a long, difficult road ahead of her. She would need to find a way to overcome the hate and the criticism, to rediscover her passion for breakdancing, and to prove to herself and others that she was more than just a meme.
But for now, she just stood there, her eyes fixed on the ground, and her heart heavy with the weight of the world's expectations.
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