Sydney: Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, known as B-girl Raygun, has decided to retire from competition after the backlash surrounding her performance at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Despite not scoring in any of her three rounds, Gunn’s routine, which featured unconventional moves like the sprinkler and kangaroo hop, gained international attention but also sparked ridicule and conspiracy theories about her qualification.
The 37-year-old university lecturer at Macquarie University, who initially planned to continue competing, cited the upsetting response as the reason for her retirement decision.
Gunn faced a flood of violent messages after the Olympics and was the target of an anonymous petition demanding an apology. The petition falsely accused her and her husband of manipulating her selection at the expense of other Australian athletes.
While Olympic officials strongly defended her, her performance sparked mixed reactions within the breaking community, with some criticizing it as a mockery of the sport.
The controversy also reignited debates over whether breaking, which debuted in Paris but won’t be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, should have been included in the Olympics due to its creative nature, which doesn’t always align with structured competition.
Gunn has previously said the backlash took the joy out of the sport for her. Gunn remarked that, “Dancing is so much fun, and it makes you feel good. I don’t think people should feel crap about the way that they dance. I still dance, and I still break. But, you know, that’s like in my living room with my partner!”
While her retirement follows a difficult chapter, Rachael Gunn’s impact on the sport of breaking is undeniable. Her bold moves and unique style brought global attention to the art form, even as they fuelled debate about its place in the Olympic arena.
ALSO READ | Red Bull’s Verstappen stuns with victory in rainy Sao Paulo Grand Prix
