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Raygun quits the breakdancing competition due to the reaction to her viral performance at the Olympics

Rachael “Raygun” Gunn has announced that her professional breakdancing career is over, citing the online reaction to her performance at the Paris Olympics.

The Australian dancer, who attracted attention for her unorthodox performance at the 2024 Olympics, said that while she will still take a break, she will no longer compete.

Speaking on Australia's 2DayFM's The Jimmy and Nath Show on Wednesday, Gunn, 37, said she would only break up with her partner at home as things had now become “really difficult” for her.

“Dancing is so much fun and makes you feel good, and I don't think people should feel bad about the way they dance,” she told the radio show.

In a series of three round-robin matches, Gunn demonstrated break moves such as rolling on his back, spinning on his head and “the kangaroo”, a unique move. She received zero points at the Olympics, leading many to question how she even qualified for the games.

As videos of her performances spread, so did conspiracy theories about her participation in the competition. One of the most famous internet rumors surrounding Gunn was that she was an “industry operation” designed to fix the games.

For Gunn, these theories were “completely wild” and “impossible to process.”

“It was really disturbing because I felt like I just had no control over how people saw me or who I was,” she said.

She blamed the negative perception of her on the Internet and the unexpectedly high level of publicity it caused as reasons for her decision to stop competing.

“I think the level of control that will be there and the people who will film it and it will go online,” she said. “It just won’t mean the same thing. It won’t be the same experience because everything is at stake.”

When asked if she would ever compete in the Olympics again, she immediately replied, “No.”

“I definitely wanted to keep competing, but that seems really difficult now,” she said.

Even though her competitive days are behind her, Gunn seems to have found another way to keep her love for breaking alive.

Last week she launched the #RaygunChallenge, a competition where breakdancers have to show off their moves.

“I hear some of you think you can do better than me,” Gunn said in a joint Instagram post with Finder Australia. “Really? Let’s find out, shall we?”

Entrants must use the Finder Beat and upload their video to TikTok or Instagram using the hashtag #RaygunChallenge and tag the Finder Australia Instagram account to enter.

The best solo dancer receives AUD 5,000 and the best group dance receives AUD 10,000. Closing date for entries is 11:59 p.m. AEDT (8:00 a.m. ET) Monday November 11th. The finalists will be announced on November 14th and fan voting will take place the following week before the winners are announced on November 11th, 12:00pm AEDT. 22.