Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, an Australian breakdancer, has declared her retirement from competition, citing a “really upsetting” criticism of her performance at the Paris Olympics. Raygun, 37, became a global laughing stock after her unusual technique, which included kangaroo jumps and impersonating a sprinkler, failed to satisfy the judges at the Games. Her moves were imitated on late-night talk shows, and her outmoded green tracksuit was brutally mocked online. Conspiracy theories abounded about how the university instructor had made it onto Australia’s Olympic team. Gunn stated that the increased attention had been “really upsetting” and that she had decided to end her breakdancing career.
“I am not going to compete anymore,” she told Australian radio station 2DayFM on Wednesday. “The level of scrutiny that will be there. People will videotape it, and it will be available online; it just won’t be the same experience.” Gunn had already spoken out against the “pretty devastating” abuse directed toward her following the Olympics.
“I went out there and had fun. I took it quite seriously. I worked my buttocks off preparing for the Olympics, and I gave it my all,” she stated in a video statement following the event. While many mocked her performance on social media, Gunn received support from others, including her fellow Australian Olympians and the country’s prime minister.
Raygun stated that she will continue to dance, but not in competitions. “I mean, I’m still dancing and breaking. But, you know, it’s like being in my living room with my partner,” she explained.
“Dancing is so much fun and makes you feel great. I don’t think people should be embarrassed about the way they dance. “If you get out there, and you have fun on the dance floor then just own it.”
The WDSF ranked her as the top women’s breakdancer when she won the Oceania Championship, one of just a few tournaments held in the run-up to the Olympics. The sport of breaking made its Olympic debut in Paris, but it will not be featured at the following Games in Los Angeles, in 2028.