Olympic breakdancer Raygun has spoken out after going viral following her widely ridiculed performance at the 2024 Games in Paris.
The Australian athlete, whose real name is Rachael Gunn, failed to score a single point during the competition but defended her performance from online mockery.
“What I wanted to do was come out here and do something new and different and creative — that’s my strength, my creativity,” she said to ESPN.
“I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves, so I wanted to move differently, be artistic and creative because how many chances do you get in a lifetime to do that on an international stage?”
Y’all….The people’s faces in the background and Peter Griffins voice has killed me. ☠️☠️☠️ pic.twitter.com/NNa4NJkuTN
— Literally Heather (@Shouse34) August 11, 2024
The Grinch four seconds into Christmas. pic.twitter.com/Kca6ZLNdnD
— Waiting to Oxtail (@ThatDudeMCFLY) August 10, 2024
It was the first time breakdancing had been included in the Olympics and Snoop Dogg was seen watching the event from the stands.
Raygun’s performance was widely mocked as she failed to perform any traditional breakdancing moves and instead was seen flopping and rolling around the floor.
There were plenty of viral videos made of her performance, with one dubbing commentary from Peter Griffin in Family Guy over the footage.
Another viewer also compared one move she did to the Grinch creeping around.
Common Shows Off B-Boy Moves During Breakdancing Competition
Even Pete Rock chimed in on her moves, joking on social media: “Ooohhh sh%# [shocked emoji] Wait, that bunny hop kangaroo sh%# she was doing took me way down to floor [laughing emoji] this is so messed up.”
Raygun’s inclusion in the Australian team was defended by their chef de mission Anna Meares, who said in a press conference: “I love Rachael, and I think that what has occurred on social media with trolls and keyboard warriors, and taking those comments and giving them airtime, has been really disappointing.”
She added: “Raygun is an absolutely loved member of this Olympic team. She has represented the Olympic team, the Olympic spirit with great enthusiasm. And I absolutely love her courage. I love her character, and I feel very disappointed for her, that she has come under the attack that she has.”
Raygun, who possesses a PhD in dance, lost all three of her one-on-one contests by a total margin of 54-0.
Japan’s Ami Yuasa took home the gold medal in women’s breakdancing, while Canadian b-boy Philip “Phil Wizard” Kim emerged victorious in the men’s.