Australian Olympic Breakdancer DEVASTATED By Online Hate Since Paris – Incoming Defamation Suit

Daily Report August 16,2024

The 2024 Paris Olympics in particular saw some controversy when it came to the inclusion of Rachael Gunn, aka Raygun, with many questioning how she ended up representing Australia for Olympic breakdancing.

Many viewers saw her viral performance and said, “Y’know, I’m pretty sure I could do that too.”

A popular story shortly after the Olympics circulating about Gunn and her husband, Samuel Free, alleged that they gamed some of the qualifications to get her there. This theory sparked a change.

The signatories were asked to identify themselves in case the Reid files a defamation suit against them, and later forged an online change. org petition accusing Gunn of “gaming” which drew over 40,000 signatures before being removed at the request of AOC The AOC asked for the removal of statements which it said were defamatory.

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“(AOC CEO) Mr (Matt) Carroll says the petition contains numerous falsehoods designed to engender hatred against an athlete who was selected in the Australian Olympic Team through a transparent and independent qualification event and nomination process,” the AOC’s statement said.

This conspiracy gained legs when it was propelled by the X account @AutismCapital — “Citizen journalism with a humorous flair.” As of Friday morning, the post has racked up 3.2M views

“Basically, Rachael elects herself as the Australian Olympic breakdancing rep, and the rest history,” the post read.

“I won the Oceania qualifier, and by winning that competition, I got the direct spot to Paris,” Raygun told the outlet before the Olympics. “That was a really intense, really stressful but really amazing competition.”

The AOC also detailed how Gunn’s inclusion occurred through legitimate means, explaining she won the Oceania qualifying event in October 2023 — a competition that “was conducted under the Olympics qualification system” established by WDSF and approved by IOC. The event, which showcased nine “independent international judges” sanctioned by the WDSF did not include Free. It was run in accordance with WDSF rules throughout the event.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the contest was held in an open registration with 15 women racers and Gunn won a ticket for Paris after her best race which was in the final round.

The AOC added Gunn and Free are not involved with the Australian Breaking Association or DanceSport Australia, nor does Gunn have any say on funding matters.

During an appearance on Instagram Live Thursday, Gunn spoke out against the backlash and revealed how it has affected her.

In a video shared on her Instagram, she said: “I didn’t realize that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has frankly been pretty devastating. While I went out there and I had fun, I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics and I gave my all, truly. I’m honored to have been a part of the Australian Olympic team and to be part of breaking’s Olympic debut. What the other athletes have achieved has just been phenomenal.”