Australian breaking dancer Rachael Gunn, known as ‘Raygun’, has announced that she will no longer participate in competitions. The decision, according to her, occurred because of the series of criticisms about her participation during the Paris Olympic Games.
“In view of the really disturbing reactions, I will not participate in any more competitions,” he declared in an interview with Australian radio station 2DayFM.
His presentation at the Games, inspired by kangaroos, was parodied on social media and television programs. Raygun left the competition in France without victories and without managing to score points in any of its three appearances.
“I was getting ready to keep competing, but it’s been really difficult,” he added, commenting on the level of attention he attracts. “I still dance and I still break. But in my living room, with my partner.”
Rachael is a researcher in the area of breaking cultural policy and has a doctorate in cultural studies. She is also a lecturer at Macquarie University, where she teaches on topics including media, creative industries, music and dance.
Despite the jokes, the Australian was classified by her country’s breaking association as the best dancer in the sport in 2020 and 2021. She also represented Australia at the World Breaking Championship for three years, from 2021 to 2023, and won the Breaking Championship. Oceania last year.
In September, the b-girl became number one in the world.
An online petition accusing Rachael of manipulating the qualification procedure to secure her place in Paris attracted 50,000 signatures, before being removed at the request of the AOC (Australian Olympic Committee).
The committee also refuted the allegation that the dancer’s husband, Samuel Free, who is her coach, was involved in her selection. She said the “conspiracy theories were completely absurd.”
Breaking was removed from the Olympic program for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. Rachael said she would not consider coming out of retirement if the sport returned to the Games.
With agencies
