As a gamer who has seen my fair share of trolls and haters online, I can’t help but feel deeply saddened by the treatment that Rachel “Raygun” Gunn has received following her performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics breakdancing competition.
2024 Paris Olympic Games have concluded, yet certain unforgettable instances will endure through time. In the future, many of us might recall the heartwarming unity displayed by the US as we celebrated our viral pommel horse champion who played a crucial role in the men’s gymnastics team clinching a bronze medal. Regrettably, the introduction of breakdancing into the global competition was overshadowed by a “meme-worthy” display from Australia’s breaker Rachel “Raygun” Gunn.
In a groundbreaking moment at the Olympics, “Raygun” stepped onto the stage for the inaugural breaking competition. Unfortunately, despite being a 36-year-old professor and skilled breakdancer, she didn’t perform as well as she had hoped. Instead, her routine and her performance became a popular topic of humor on social media. To make matters worse, many people on these platforms expressed negative opinions about her unique act.
As a passionate supporter, I must admit it’s disheartening to witness the escalation of negativity. The Australian Olympic Committee’s intervention, criticizing fans for a petition questioning Gunn’s team inclusion, was necessary but seemingly ineffective in halting the hostility. Now, “Raygun” herself has stepped forward on Instagram, pleading for understanding and privacy not only for herself, but also for those dear to her, aiming to clear up any misunderstandings.
She kicked the video off by thanking those who have supported her and went on to say:
I truly value the optimism you’ve shown and it’s wonderful to know I could bring some happiness into your world as intended. However, I wasn’t expecting such a surge of negativity. Honestly, this unexpected hostility has been quite overwhelming.
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Experiencing the Olympics as a highlight is often expected among athletes, but not everyone shares this experience. This includes Simone Biles, the queen of women’s gymnastics, who has faced criticism in the past. Now, Gunn is encountering similar issues and is pleading for it to end.
Initially, discussions about the unusual performance primarily centered on Gunn’s choreography. However, this constructive criticism has unfortunately morphed into hateful remarks, with some internet users even resorting to sending death threats. Fortunately, not all people are as malicious as these individuals. Instead, some supporters have shifted their attention towards inquiring about the process of Gunn’s selection and her reasons for choosing those specific moves to perform against her French competitor.
- You trained for that performance? – @mrealtor
- No hate, just lots of questions – @hayley_simmons1995
- The worst moves since Elaine from Seinfeld – @mtdeansy
- What bothers me is that there was probably a young person, perhaps from a lower socio economic background who could not only dance better but whose life would have been transformed by the opportunity to compete at the Olympics. Instead of taking the opportunity herself she could have supported them to do so. – @divine_awen
Many commentators suggest that Gunn may not have truly deserved her place on the Olympic team, potentially denying a more deserving breaker the opportunity. Although these allegations have since been proven false in articles like Vox’s, some critics remain puzzled as to how Professor Gunn managed to secure her spot. Here is her response to those skeptics:
During my time outside, I enjoyed myself immensely, yet I was quite dedicated in my preparations for the Olympics. I put in tremendous effort and gave it my all. I feel privileged to have represented the Australian Olympic team and been a part of the sport’s Olympic debut. The accomplishments of other athletes have been simply astounding.
Originally intended to be a celebratory event showcasing a novel sport, the situation has unfortunately turned disappointing. Despite breaking being dropped from the LA 2028 lineup as early as October 2023, as reported by Fox Sports, there was optimism among organizers that a positive fan response during the Paris Games could lead to its reinstatement.
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but acknowledge the electrifying impact of “Raygun” on the competitive scene. However, it’s disheartening to see the attention diverted from the sport itself, which is the genuine tragedy behind all this controversy.
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2024-08-16 03:37