Governing body defends sending Raygun to Olympics and calls for 'bullying' to end

Australia's Breaking team has spoken out in defence of Raygun with the dancer facing continued backlash online.

Raygun - real name Rachael Gunn - performed in the 'Breaking' category at the 2024 Paris Olympics and her routine quickly went viral on social media - although unfortunately not for the reasons she may've hoped.

After scoring a zero and tackling the category with a unique approach, it didn't take long for viewers to weigh in online.

The 36-year-old spoke out about what inspired her eyebrow-raising routine, saying she wanted to 'do something new and different and creative' to show her 'artistry'.

Alas, alongside her scoring a total of 0.0 across the three bouts and some moves social media users found interesting, the response to Gunn's performance online was critical.

And the Australia Breaking Body has since taken to social media to defend Gunn.

In a post to its Instagram account yesterday (August 14), it uploaded a statement commenting further on Australia's Breaking team's selection process for the Olympics.

It explained the selection process for the team was 'conducted over two days' and the body was 'open to all interested participants in the Oceanic region'.

"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," it continued.

The body stated that the Oceania Olympic selection event held in October 2023 ahead of the Paris games 'brought together top Breakers, both Bgirls and Bboys' and who was chosen to attend the Olympics was decided by a 'panel of nine international adjudicators' who use 'the same judging system at the Paris Games'.

"[These judges are] trained to uphold the highest standards of impartiality," it added. "These judges are all highly respected in their respective communities and in the international Breaking scene."

Australia's Breaking body said that both Gunn and Jeff Dunne 'emerged as the top performers in exactly the same process' and qualified for the Paris Olympics, both of their selections 'based solely on their performance in their battles on that day'.

Raygun's performance has faced particular commentary online for being so 'uncomfortable' for being an example of 'the intellectualisation of Black culture by non Black folk'.

Doctor Ronx took to Instagram to note how this Olympics was 'the first time a sport with Black/ Brown origins was included and the spot light was not on a minoritised person'.

They continued: "It's difficult for Black and Brown people to hear a white Australian doctor speak on how she is reimagining a culture which started in the Bronx. Many Black and Brown people can't 'be themselves' and be ironic on the main stage cos folk be trying to stay alive.'

Dr Ronx also condemned people poking fun at Gunn's routine on social media, resolving: "There are so many stories of adversity, struggle and triumph and that’s not to say we can’t have fun, but until everyone is afforded the ability to spoof I can’t find her funny."

Australia's Breaking body's statement continued: "In the leadup to Paris, Raygun used her platform as the Australian Breaking representative to consistently advocate in the media for Breaking’s history, artistic and athletic values, and its cultural origins."

The body resolved: "We condemn the global online harassment and bullying of Raygun. The pressure to perform on the Olympic stage is immense, especially against the opponents in her particular group. We stand in solidarity with Raygun."

It also released an 'Olympic statement' which praised the 'global breaking community' and the spot for being 'inclusive to all people'.

It added: "On the global stage we witnessed the elite physical stamina, fluidity, precision and creativity that is required to be a breaker at the highest level.

"Let us focus and celebrate Breaking as an Olympic sport and uphold the values of the Australian and Global Breaking community of Peace, Love and Unity."