Paris: Australia, “insults” online against Raygun – Other Sports

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has denounced a “harassing, misleading and intimidating” online petition against Australian breakdancer Raygun, who has been the target of widespread ridicule for her performances at the Paris Games. Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, 36, has been in the spotlight for her alleged poor breakdancing skills at the Olympics, which prompted a wave of online criticism. A series of articles containing unverified allegations have since called into question how Gunn qualified for the Games. One petition called her appearance and conduct “unethical”. But the Australian Olympic Committee responded by calling the Change.org petition, which has garnered 46,000 signatures, “harassing, misleading and intimidating” and calling for it to be “immediately withdrawn”.


“The petition contains many lies aimed at inciting hatred against an athlete who was selected for the Australian Olympic team following a transparent and independent qualifying trial and nomination process,” the AOC said.


Gunn’s kangaroo-like movements and the slightly out-of-fashion official green tracksuit she wore instead of street-fashion clothes were even parodied around the world, most notably by late-night American talk show host Jimmy Fallon. But she also won support from fellow Australian Olympians, including double canoe gold medalist Jess Fox. “People are so ready to be mean. She doesn’t deserve this,” Jess Fox said upon her return to Australia.