Viral breakdancer Raygun will no longer compete at the Olympics after backlash

Melbourne, Australia
Reuters
—

Breaker Rachael “Raygun” Gunn's signature kangaroo jump will no longer be seen on a competition stage after the Australian said she could not bring herself to fight following backlash over her performance at the Paris Olympics.

University lecturer Gunn became an overnight sensation after losing all three of her round robin bouts by a combined score of 54-0 as Breaking made its Olympic debut at Place de la Concorde.

The 37-year-old has been mocked online and in mainstream media for everything from her moves to her green official team kit.

Gunn told Sydney Radio that while she was still braking, she wasn't competing.

“I won’t be competing anymore, no,” she said on 2DayFM.

“I obviously wanted to continue competing, but it seems really difficult to take on a fight now.

“Yeah, I mean, I still dance and I still break. But you know, it's like in my living room with my partner.

“It was really annoying. I just had no control over how people saw me or who I was.”

Breaking has been removed from the Olympic program for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. Gunn said she wouldn't consider coming out of retirement if dance sports returned to the Games.

An online petition accusing Gunn of manipulating the qualification process to secure her place in Paris received 50,000 signatures before it was removed at the request of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).

AOC also denied claims that Gunn's husband Samuel Free, who is also her trainer, was involved in her selection.

Gunn said the “conspiracy theories are completely wild.”

“But I just try to stay positive and that's what keeps me going,” she added.

“The people who said said, 'You inspired me to go out and do something I was too shy to do.' You brought joy, you brought laughter. You know, we're so proud of you.'”