Raygun calls out critics as long-running personal toll on Australian Olympic breakdancer emerges

Australian Olympic chef de mission Anna Meares has launched a stern defence of Rachael Gunn after the breakdancer became a viral sensation in Paris.

Gunn took social media by storm when she and her sport debuted at the Olympics, with the 36-year-old university lecturer nicknamed ‘Raygun’ failing to score a point in her three round-robin battles.

Her performance spread like wildfire, as did aspects of her story and the journey to Paris, but Meares said Gunn has not been applauded enough for her courage.

“I love Rachael,” Meares said.

“What has occurred on social media with trolls and keyboard warriors, and taking those comments and giving them air time, has been really disappointing.

“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.”

Gunn spoke briefly after her event and then reposted several messages from friends and supporters on social media, while also taking aim at the focus on her appearance.

“Looking forward to the same level of scrutiny on what the bboys wear tomorrow,” she wrote, having eschewed casual wear to represent Australia with the green and gold tracksuit.

Australia’s 16-year-old male competitor Jeff ‘J-Attack’ Dunne made the same choice.

He was also eliminated at the round-robin stage after three straight losses, though he collected a point in his last two battles.

“Shoutout to everyone who has supported me from the very beginning,” Dunne said.

“I did my best to represent breaking.”

While Dunne shared the stage, Gunn will be the lasting memory of what could be breaking’s only appearance at the Olympics for the foreseeable future after already being dropped for Los Angeles 2026.

Gunn has gone dark on social media since questioning the focus on her appearance compared to her male counterparts — part of a battle that has taken a personal toll stretching back years.

“In 2008, she was locked in a room crying, being involved in a male-dominated sport as the only woman,” Meares said.

“And it took great courage for her to continue on and fight for her opportunity to participate in a sport that she loved.

“That got her to winning the Olympic qualifying event to be here in Paris.

“She is the best breakdancer female that we have for Australia.”

Meares likened the criticism to historic misogynistic abuse directed at female athletes as they fought for recognition in the sporting world.

“Now you look at the history of what we have had as women athletes, have faced in terms of criticism, belittlement, judgement, and simple comments like ‘they shouldn’t be there’,” she said

“One-hundred years ago, leading into Paris 1924, Australia sent a team of 37 athletes — none were women.

“One-hundred years later, we have 256 women representing here.”

What Raygun said about her performance

Gunn said she always knew she could not compete for a medal and instead entered with a plan to stand out.

“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.

“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 that in a lifetime to do that on an international stage.

“I was always the underdog and wanted to make my mark in a different way.”

Gunn was asked whether breaking deserved to be an Olympic sport but responded that it filled the criteria.

“What is an Olympic sport?” she said.

“It’s so broad here ...what are the similarities between dressage and artistic swimming and the 100m sprint and the pentathlon.

“Breaking is clearly athletic and it clearly requires a whole level of dedication across a number of different aspects so I feel like it meets that criteria.

“And it’s really bringing a new level of excitement.”

Dunne said he was “having a lot of fun” when he took the floor for the men’s event.

“I did feel a little frustrated at times, but that’s because I think going against all these high-level athletes,” he said.

“It’s not like just some random person from Australia that’s not that good. These are b-boys that have been in the game longer than I’ve been in the game.

“So a lot of these b-boys are people I look up to and I admire, so to go against them is just a whole new level of respect and experience.”

- with AAP