Raygun Stands Firm On Controversial Olympics Break Dancing Performance

Australian breakdancer Raygun, whose real name is Rachael Gunn, made her Olympic debut in Paris, famously incorporating a kangaroo-inspired jump into her routine.

However, her performance has triggered a wave of online criticism. Since her debut on August 9, Raygun has faced backlash on social media, with some users questioning her authenticity as a breakdancer and criticizing her moves as unremarkable--though she has continuously defended herself.

Nearly three months later, Raygun is speaking out once again, this time for a cover shoot for a new issue of the Australian magazine Stellar.

The Olympian has traded her athletic polo uniform for a glamorous look in a recent cover shoot for Stellar, an Australian magazine. Posing in a striking aqua-blue dress paired with strappy sandals, showcasing a dramatic shift from the green-and-yellow breaking outfit she wore during her Olympic debut.

Gunn's full interview with Stellar has yet to hit stands, but in a preview of the cover, she is quoted as saying, “You did not bring me down. You did not succeed. I still stand by what I did," according to PEOPLE Magazine.

The cover of Stellar magazine hints at what’s next for Gunn, featuring the tagline, “What Raygun Did Next."

Claims recently surfaced alleging that Gunn manipulated the selection process to represent Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The controversy has sparked debates within the breakdancing community, with some critics questioning the transparency of her qualification and the fairness of the selection system.

However, the Sydney Morning Herald set the record straight. "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."

"Their selection was based solely on their performance in their battles on that day," AUSBreak added in its statement.

After facing false accusations that she manipulated the selection process to secure her spot representing Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Raygun spoke out.

Breaking her silence, she addressed the controversy and defended her position, asserting her dedication and the fairness of her selection. “I didn’t realize that that would 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 added.

In her video statement, Raygun addressed the wave of online hate and mockery her family has also faced following her Olympics 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.”

In response to the backlash, Martin Gilian, the chief breaking judge at the Olympics, came to Raygun’s defense.

“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.