Raygun Addresses Online Hate Regarding Olympics Breaking Routine

Australian breaker Raygun, whose real name is Rachael Gunn, made her Olympic debut in Paris, but her routines—including a kangaroo-inspired jump—have sparked a wave of online mockery.

Raygun’s Olympic breakdance performance may have gone viral on social media, with several videos making the rounds, but she's now caught in controversy over the process that got her to the Olympics.

After being hit with false allegations that she manipulated the selection process to represent Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Raygun finally broke her silence.

The 36-year-old took to Instagram on Thursday, August 15, to address the backlash and defend herself against the hate she's been receiving.

“Hi everyone, Raygun here. I just want to start by thanking all the people who have supported me,” she began in the video. “I really appreciate the positivity and I’m glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives. That’s what I hoped.”

“I didn’t realize that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has frankly been pretty devastating,” she added. “While, I went out there and I had fun, I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off, preparing for the Olympics and I gave my all truly."

"I’m honored to have been a part of the Australian Olympic Team and to be part of breaking’s Olympic debut," Raygun concluded.

Amid claims on social media that Raygun and her husband and coach, Samuel Free, were behind the Australian Breaking Association and involved in the selection process, seemingly manipulating the system and allowing Raygun to make the Olympics, the Sydney Morning Herald has set the record straight.

The outlet confirmed that Lowe Napalan, another Australian breaking champ, founded the association.

"The selection process for Australia's Breaking team heading to Paris was conducted over two days, and open to all interested participants in the Oceanic region," the Australian breaking organization AUSBreak said in a statement. "Adhering to World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) regulations, which align with International Olympic Committee (IOC) standards, the process aimed to ensure a fair and transparent outcome."

The organization confirmed that Rachael Gunn and Jeff Dunne "emerged as the top performers" and secured their spots to represent Australia in Paris fairly. "Their selection was based solely on their performance in their battles on that day," AUSBreak added in its statement.

In her video statement, Raygun also addressed the online hate and mockery following her performance.

“But 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,” she said, adding that she is off to Europe for a few weeks.

“Everyone has been through a lot, as a result of this, so I ask you to please respect their privacy," Raygun added. "I’ll be happy to answer more questions on my return to Australia, thanks everyone.”

Since her Olympics debut on August 9, Raygun has faced social media mockery, with some arguing that she isn't a genuine breakdancer and that her moves were nothing special.

“Was that a routine? That was cringe factor 100%,” one user wrote via X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “What a ridiculous ‘sport’ to have at the Olympics. At least I got a laugh at the divers back-flopping.”

"But my god, Aussie Olympic Team uniform designers did their athlete Raygun dirty, " another said, commenting on her outfit choice. "She’s giving cringey soccer mom driving a minivan with juice boxes energy. Funniest thing I’ve seen in a hot minute."

"My five-year-old niece after she says 'watch this!'" another mocked.

Following the hate, the chief breaking judge at the Olympics, Martin Gilian, defended her, praising her for stepping into the spotlight and showing guts on the dance floor.

“It’s all about originality and it’s all about bringing something new to the table and representing your country or region," Gilian said, per CNN. "This is exactly what Raygun was doing, she got inspired by her surroundings, which in this case, for example, was a kangaroo."

"She created some original moves which could be maybe funny or entertaining for others, but for us, she basically represented breaking and hip hop," he added.