Australian Olympic Committee Condemn Raygun Petition
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has strongly condemned an online petition calling for an investigation into breakdancer Rachael Gunn's selection for the Paris Olympics, accusing it of spreading falsehoods and inciting hatred.
Gunn, who goes by the name B-Girl Raygun, has faced intense online criticism and media mockery after her performance in the Olympic debut of breaking. She lost all three of her round-robin battles by a combined score of 54-0, leading to widespread backlash.
The petition, which has garnered over 50,000 signatures, demands an apology from both Gunn and Australia's Olympic Chef de Mission, Anna Meares, and accuses them of "attempting to gaslight the public and undermining the efforts of genuine athletes."
However, AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll dismissed the petition as "vexatious, misleading and bullying," in a recent statement, emphasising that it has stirred up public hatred without any factual basis.
Carroll expressed the AOC’s offence at the attacks on Gunn and Meares, stressing that no athlete who has represented their country at the Olympics should be subjected to such treatment.
"The petition has stirred up public hatred without any factual basis," Carroll said, adding that the AOC has demanded that change.org remove the petition immediately.
The AOC has also refuted allegations regarding the transparency of Gunn’s selection process. Carroll clarified that Gunn was selected through an independent and transparent qualification event, conducted under the rules set by the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) and approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He noted that the judging panel, which consisted of nine independent international judges, was selected by the WDSF, ensuring a fair selection process.
In response to claims that Gunn’s Oceania qualifying event in Sydney last October was rigged in her favour, the AOC reiterated that these accusations are baseless.
"Rachael Gunn holds no position with AUSBreaking or DanceSport Australia in any capacity," the AOC stated, emphasising that she simply competed in and won the qualifying event.
The controversy surrounding Gunn’s Olympic performance has not only led to online trolling but also parodies on late-night TV in the U.S. Despite the backlash, the AOC continues to stand by Gunn and Meares, condemning the ongoing harassment as both bullying and defamatory.
The AOC's strong defence of Gunn comes as breakdancing’s future in the Olympics remains uncertain. While it made its debut in Paris, it is not included in the lineup for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and is unlikely to feature in Brisbane 2032.
