Who is Rachel Gunn AKA Raygun? Meet Australian Olympic breaker and university lecturer who scored zero points | World News – Times of India

Rachael Gunn, better known by her stage name “Raygun,” recently found herself in the eye of a social media storm following her participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics. As breakdancing made its historic debut as an Olympic sport, Gunn, representing Australia, performed with a distinctive style that set her apart from her competitors. However, instead of receiving praise for her originality, she became the target of widespread online trolling and criticism.
Gunn, a 36-year-old university lecturer from Sydney with a Ph.D. in cultural studies, approached the competition with a creative and unconventional style. Her moves, which she described as entirely original, were a conscious effort to showcase something different and artistic rather than attempting to compete with her peers in terms of athletic prowess. One of her signature moves, the “kangaroo hop,” became particularly notorious, drawing both attention and ridicule online.

One user wrote: “The Olympics has been turned into a complete worldwide laughing stock. Everything woke turns to sh*t.” Another added: “Mistakes were definitely made folks, but the biggest one was not telling someone they can’t dance.” A third added: “We’re all still trying to process how you qualified for the Olympics in the first place.”
Others were more supportive. One wrote: “It takes guts to perform something so different on such a huge stage. Respect to Raygun for staying true to herself”. Another added: “Raygun might not have scored points, but she definitely scored in originality. The world needs more artists like her.”
Despite her unique approach, Gunn’s performance did not translate into points on the scoreboard. She was eliminated early in the competition, losing all her round-robin battles without scoring. This result, combined with the unorthodox nature of her routine, made her an easy target for criticism. Social media quickly filled with memes and disparaging comments, with some users mocking her moves and questioning the inclusion of breakdancing in the Olympics altogether.

The backlash against Gunn was intense. Some of the criticism focused not just on her performance but also on her appearance, including her choice of outfit—a green and yellow Australian Olympic tracksuit, which many commenters derided. The harshness of the comments was a stark reminder of the challenges athletes face in the digital age, where every action is subject to public scrutiny.

In response to the online abuse, Australia’s Chef de Mission, Anna Meares, publicly defended Gunn, condemning the trolling as disappointing and unnecessary. Meares praised Gunn for her courage and the enthusiasm she brought to the Olympic team, highlighting the broader context of the challenges faced by female athletes throughout history. She pointed out that Gunn’s inclusion in the Olympics was a significant achievement, earned through dedication and passion for her craft.
Gunn herself responded to the criticism with resilience. On Instagram, she encouraged others not to be afraid to stand out and to embrace their individuality, no matter the cost. She reflected on her journey, acknowledging that she was always the underdog in the competition and that her goal was to bring something different to the stage. Her approach to breaking was rooted in a desire to be artistic and creative, rather than conforming to the conventional expectations of what an Olympic sport should look like.