An Australian breakdancer whose unique performance split opinion in the Paris Olympics says she will no long compete in the sport. Rachael Gunn – known as Raygun – produced a much-ridiculed display in August including moves such as the ‘kangaroo’, ‘taming the cobra’ and ‘the sprinkler’.
She failed to score any points in any of the three competition rounds she entered – and her performances drew a significant backlash. It was the first time breakdancing had been included at the Games, and it will not be on the list at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles or Brisbane in 2032.
The 37-year-old Sydney university lecturer later apologised for her routine, but suggested much of the criticism was due to ignorance of the sport.
She confirmed that she no longer competes in the sport, but does still ‘break’ at home with her partner. She said: “Dancing is so much fun and it makes you feel good and I don’t think people should feel crap about, you know, the way that they dance,” she told The Jimmy and Nath Show on radio station 2DayFM.
In September, the sport’s governing body explained that she had been named the top female breakdancer in the world. When asked by 2DayFM if she’d ever compete at the Olympics again, she said: “No. I still break.. but I don’t compete.
“I think the level of scrutiny that’s going to be there… it’s just not going to mean the same thing. It’s not going to be the same experience because of everything that’s at stake.”
She confirmed that her mental health had been harmed after the reaction against her routines, insisting she did take the competition “very seriously” and hit out at the “devastating” abuse she has suffered.