B-Girl Raygun Breaks Silence on Controversial Olympic Performance

Australian breakdancer Raygun Gunn shares her thoughts on the aftermath of her Olympic debut, revealing that she knew she was overmatched and expected to receive criticism for her creative performance.

In her first interview since her unconventional performance in breakdancing's Olympic debut went viral, Australian b-girl Rachel "Raygun" Gunn has candidly discussed the mixed reactions she received.

Speaking to Australia's Network 10, Gunn acknowledged the challenges she faced as a 36-year-old university professor competing against younger and more experienced athletes.

B-Girl Raygun Breaks Silence on Controversial Olympic Performance

"I knew my chances were slim," she admitted. "As soon as I qualified, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, what have I done?' because I knew that I was going to get beaten, and I knew people weren't going to understand my style and what I was going to do."

Despite the anticipation of some criticism, Gunn was taken aback by the intensity of the vitriol she encountered.

B-Girl Raygun Breaks Silence on Controversial Olympic Performance

"There's been a portion of very angry and, you know, awful responses, not only attacking me but attacking my husband, attacking my crew, attacking the breaking and street dance community in Australia, my family," she lamented.

Much of the criticism stemmed from a lack of understanding about the various styles of breaking, Gunn explained. While she expected some disapproval, she had not foreseen the level of hostility she received.

B-Girl Raygun Breaks Silence on Controversial Olympic Performance

"I had to go with what I was good at. I had to go with my strengths," she said of her performance, which incorporated a "kangaroo dance" inspired by Australian culture.

Gunn's journey to the Olympics began with her victory at the QMS Oceania Championships in Sydney. She was ranked as the top b-girl in Australia in both 2020 and 2021.

In the Paris Games, Gunn was swept in all of her battles without scoring a single point. While she has not rewatched her performance, she recognizes that it is unlikely she will compete in the Olympics again as breaking is not included in the program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Despite the negative feedback, Gunn remains committed to promoting breaking and representing her community.

"I feel like I've been really fortunate to have the opportunity to represent breaking on the world stage," she said. "And I hope that I can continue to do that in a positive way."

The controversy surrounding Gunn's performance has sparked a wider debate about the nature of the Olympics and the place of unconventional sports within the traditional framework. As breaking continues to gain popularity and recognition around the world, it remains to be seen how it will evolve and adapt to the demands of the Olympic stage.