Australian breakdancer Raygun has spoken out against the “pretty devastating” online hate that has been unleashed against her since her widely criticised performance at the Paris Olympics.
Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, 36, a lecturer at the University of Sydney, was ridiculed by some and cheered by others for her unique performance in Paris, where she failed to win any of her three head-to-head matches with other B-Girls.
Although she thanked her supporters and said she was happy to bring them some joy, in a video posted Thursday from Brussels on her Instagram account, “I didn’t realize that it would also open the door to so much hatred, which was frankly quite devastating,” she also lamented.
“I worked really hard to prepare for the Olympics and gave it everything I had, really,” she said.
Raygun’s movements, including his kangaroo imitation, and his Australian-coloured tracksuit have been parodied around the world, including by American television host Jimmy Fallon.
She has faced much more virulent criticism and mockery online, questioning the selection process.
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) on Thursday denounced a “vexatious, misleading and intimidating” petition launched on Change.org.
“Regarding the allegations and misinformation that are circulating, I would like to ask everyone to refer to the recent statement by the AOC,” Mr.me Gunn in his video.
The Change.org petition, which has collected tens of thousands of signatures demanding a public apology from the dancer, was no longer available on the platform on Friday.
While she has decided to stay in Europe for a while for now, Raygun has asked the media to “stop harassing” her family, friends and the breakdancing community.
“Everyone has suffered a lot because of this case, so I ask that you respect their privacy,” she said, promising to answer further questions when she returned to Australia, where she received the support of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Breakdancing will not be on the programme for the next Olympic Games, which will be held in Los Angeles in four years.