In its debut at the Olympics, breakdancing, or 'breaking,' made worldwide news. But the sport was overshadowed by controversy surrounding Australia’s competitor, whose unconventional routine drew more attention than acclaim.
Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, a university lecturer from Sydney, failed to impress the Paris 2024 judges, receiving zero votes for her routine which included mimicking a hopping kangaroo and the sprinkler.
As a result of the intense backlash and mockery on social media, some questioned her selection for Paris, and others suggested Gunn’s routine was a mockery of the sport.
However, the Australian Olympic Committee disputed these claims, stating that Gunn qualified to compete after winning a 2023 Oceania event that was conducted under the Olympic qualification system with nine independent international judges presiding over the contest.
Gunn denied that her routine was a mockery of the sport
Gunn denied that her routine was a mockery of the sport in a video posted to social media. “I did take it very seriously,” she said, before adding that the flood of online hate had been “pretty devastating”.
A petition calling for an apology from Gunn received more than 54,000 signatures before being taken down, declaring that she should apologise for “attempting to gaslight the public and undermining the efforts of genuine athletes.”
Despite online speculation that Gunn’s 2024 Olympics routine led to the removal of breaking in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, this news was actually announced a few years ago. In 2022, the International Olympic Committee announced that breakdancing was not included in the list of approved sports for the 2028 Games.
"It’s up to each local organizing committee to determine which sports to put forward that fit with their vision of the Games,” IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell said in a 2023 press conference. "Obviously breaking fit very clearly with Paris’s vision of a very youth-focused urban engagement."
Others however applauded Gunn for her participation, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said “Good on her and a big shout out to her. That is in the Australian tradition of people having a go. She’s had a go representing our country and that’s a good thing."
He continued, “the Olympics is about people participating in sport. That’s a good thing and Raygun had a crack.”