Rachael Gunn, who uses the name Raygun in competitions, became a well-known figure during the Paris Olympics due to her one-of-a-kind breakdancing performance. Although many people admired her creativity, she also faced significant backlash online, which she described as “devastating.”

In a video she shared on Instagram, Gunn expressed her gratitude for the support and joy she brought to others, saying, “I didn’t anticipate that this would lead to so much negativity, which has been really hard to deal with.” She emphasized her dedication, stating, “I went out there to have fun and gave it my all. I worked incredibly hard for the Olympics.”

At 36, Gunn is a college professor who focused her PhD on the connection between gender and breakdancing culture in Sydney. In her Olympic debut, she didn’t win any of her group-stage battles and ended up scoring no points.

Gunn has requested privacy during this challenging time, highlighting the increased scrutiny surrounding her Olympic participation and the questions raised about her selection for the Australian team.

“I kindly ask the media to stop disturbing my family, friends, and the Australian breaking community. They’ve faced enough already, so please respect their privacy,” Gunn stated in her video.

The unconventional nature of her dance moves and her low scores led to speculation online that she had somehow manipulated her selection for the Australian Olympic team. A petition on change.org claiming to “hold Raygun accountable” sought an investigation into her selection, gathering over 55,000 signatures before being taken down.

In response, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) issued a statement in support of Gunn, denouncing the petition as “vexatious, misleading, and bullying.”

The AOC’s statement dismissed all allegations against Gunn, asserting that her selection was made through “a transparent and independent qualification process.”

“It is utterly shameful that falsehoods propagated by an anonymous individual can be spread like this. This behavior is tantamount to bullying and harassment and is defamatory,” said AOC CEO Matt Carroll.

“It’s crucial for the community to understand the truth and avoid forming opinions based on malicious lies and misinformation,” Carroll further emphasized.

Gunn addressed the rumors in her Instagram video, advising viewers to look at the AOC’s official statement regarding the “misinformation being circulated.”

While breaking made its Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games, it will not be featured in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.