Breakdancer Raygun has addressed the public for the first time since her viral zero-point performance at the Olympics.
In a highly anticipated statement, Australian breakdancer Raygun, whose real name is Rachael Gunn, has broken her silence.
This follows the viral reaction to her zero-point performance at the recent Olympic Games.
The lecturer in cultural studies at Macquarie University became the center of a big debate. Her unusual routine confused many spectators.
Breakdancer Raygun breaks silence for first time after her zero-point performance at Olympics went viral
Raygun took to her Instagram account to address the backlash she has faced.
She acknowledged the “devastating” online abuse she has endured.
“I didn’t realize that would also open the door to so much hate, which has frankly been pretty devastating,” she expressed.
However, she had given her all in preparing for the Olympics and felt honored to be part of the Australian team and the inaugural breakdancing competition.
The breakdancer urged the public to refer to the recent statements made by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) for clarification on the situation.
She revealed an interesting fact about the scoring system, saying that “there are actually no points in breaking.”
She encouraged her followers to check the comparison percentages across the five judging criteria on the official Olympics website.
Raygun expressed her disappointment with the media coverage of the Olympic breakdancing event.
She stated that it has placed a significant burden on her family, friends, and the broader street-dancing community.
“I’m going to be in Europe for a few weeks for some pre-planned downtime.
I’d like to ask the press to stop harassing my family, friends, the Australian breaking community, and the broader street-dancing community,” she pleaded.
Despite the controversy surrounding her performance, Raygun remained grateful for the support she has received from her fans.
“I just wanna start by thanking all the people who have supported me, I really appreciate the positivity, and I was able to bring some joy into your lives.
That’s what I hoped,” she expressed.
Australian Olympic Committee revealed their choice of Raygun for Paris Olympics
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) defended breakdancer Raygun
The AOC acknowledged the “unusual” nature of Raygun’s routine but emphasized that her participation was “well-intentioned.”
They also noted that she had the full support of the Australian team.
Despite receiving a zero-point score from the judges after three rounds, Australian officials have explained their decision to choose Raygun for the Olympic team.
They believe her selection was justified and in line with their goals.
Raygun, who has a PhD in Cultural Studies and teaches at Macquarie University, showed a unique breakdancing style inspired by her surroundings.
Her routines featured kangaroo-like hops and snake-like floor movements, which the judges called “innovative.”
In addressing Raygun’s controversial performance, the judges acknowledged that breakdancing is “all about originality and bringing something new to the table.”
They recognized that Raygun’s moves were intended to represent her artistic vision and the culture of her home country.
Judging panel and scoring system for Olympic breakdancing
They followed the regulations of the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) and the standards of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ensure a fair and transparent outcome.
The judging panel consisted of nine respected international referees, a head judge, and a chairperson.
They used the same scoring system as the Paris Olympics.
Eventually, Raygun and fellow Australian breakdancer Jeff Dunne were selected based solely on their competition performances.
Before the Olympics, Raygun used her position as Australia’s representative in breakdancing to advocate for the sport in the media.