Rachael Gunn: Who’s Rachel Gunn AKA Raygun? Meet Australian Olympic breaker and college lecturer who scored zero factors | World Information

Rachael Gunn, higher recognized by her stage title “Raygun,” lately discovered herself within the eye of a social media storm following her participation within the 2024 Paris Olympics. As breakdancing made its historic debut as an Olympic sport, Gunn, representing Australia, carried out with a particular model that set her aside from her opponents. Nevertheless, as an alternative of receiving reward for her originality, she turned the goal of widespread on-line trolling and criticism.
Gunn, a 36-year-old college lecturer from Sydney with a Ph.D. in cultural research, approached the competitors with a artistic and unconventional model. Her strikes, which she described as solely authentic, have been a acutely aware effort to showcase one thing completely different and inventive quite than trying to compete together with her friends by way of athletic prowess. One in every of her signature strikes, the “kangaroo hop,” turned significantly infamous, drawing each consideration and mock on-line.

One consumer wrote: “The Olympics has been became a whole worldwide laughing inventory. Every part woke turns to sh*t.” One other added: “Errors have been positively made people, however the largest one was not telling somebody they cannot dance.” A 3rd added: “We’re all nonetheless attempting to course of the way you certified for the Olympics within the first place.”
Others have been extra supportive. One wrote: “It takes guts to carry out one thing so completely different on such an enormous stage. Respect to Raygun for staying true to herself”. One other added: “Raygun won’t have scored factors, however she positively scored in originality. The world wants extra artists like her.”
Regardless of her distinctive method, Gunn’s efficiency didn’t translate into factors on the scoreboard. She was eradicated early within the competitors, shedding all her round-robin battles with out scoring. This end result, mixed with the unorthodox nature of her routine, made her a simple goal for criticism. Social media shortly crammed with memes and disparaging feedback, with some customers mocking her strikes and questioning the inclusion of breakdancing within the Olympics altogether.

The backlash in opposition to Gunn was intense. A few of the criticism centered not simply on her efficiency but in addition on her look, together with her alternative of outfit—a inexperienced and yellow Australian Olympic tracksuit, which many commenters derided. The harshness of the feedback was a stark reminder of the challenges athletes face within the digital age, the place each motion is topic to public scrutiny.

In response to the web abuse, Australia’s Chef de Mission, Anna Meares, publicly defended Gunn, condemning the trolling as disappointing and pointless. Meares praised Gunn for her braveness and the passion she delivered to the Olympic workforce, highlighting the broader context of the challenges confronted by feminine athletes all through historical past. She identified that Gunn’s inclusion within the Olympics was a big achievement, earned by dedication and fervour for her craft.
Gunn herself responded to the criticism with resilience. On Instagram, she inspired others to not be afraid to face out and to embrace their individuality, regardless of the fee. She mirrored on her journey, acknowledging that she was at all times the underdog within the competitors and that her objective was to deliver one thing completely different to the stage. Her method to breaking was rooted in a want to be inventive and artistic, quite than conforming to the standard expectations of what an Olympic sport ought to seem like.