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Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, viral Olympic gold medalist, is retiring from competition

Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, viral Olympic gold medalist, is retiring from competition

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Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, better known as B-Girl Raygun, announced she is retiring from breaking competition after her “shocking” experience following the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Gunn became a viral sensation this summer after her unique appearance at the first Olympic breaking event raised some eyebrows and sparked backlash. The criticism, she says, led to her quitting her career.

“I won’t be competing anymore,” Gunn said during an appearance on The Jimmy & Nath Show on Australia’s 2DayFM. “I definitely wanted to keep competing, but it seems really difficult to approach a fight now. Yeah, I mean, I still dance and I still take breaks. But you know, it’s like being in my living room with my partner.”

She added: “It was really disturbing. I just had no control over how people saw me or who I was.”

OLYMPIC GAMES PARIS 2024: Raygun Becomes a Viral Sensation During Braking Performance; Social media reacts

Gunn, a 37-year-old college professor in Sydney, rose to prominence at the Paris Games after losing all three crucial group stage bouts and failing to score a single point. One of her most popular moves was “the kangaroo,” where she imitated Australia’s national animal.

“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 said.

The breakthrough won't be at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but when hypothetically asked if she would ever compete in the Olympics again, Gunn emphatically said, “No.” She said she won't even compete professionally.

“I think the level of control that will be there and the people filming it and it going online is just not going to mean the same thing,” Gunn said. “It won’t be the same experience because everything is at stake.”

Gunn said she has faced many conspiracy theories surrounding her qualification for the Olympics. An online petition accusing Gunn of rigging the selection process received 50,000 signatures before it was withdrawn at the request of the Australian Olympic Committee. Gunn called the theories “completely crazy” but said she was trying to focus on the “positives” that came from her Olympic experience.

“That’s what keeps me going,” Gunn said. “The people who said, ‘You inspired me to go out and do something I was too shy to do. You brought joy, you brought laughter. You know, it's us.' so proud of you.'”

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