Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn says she took her participation in the Paris Olympics “very seriously” – and has hit out at “devastating” abuse she has suffered for her routine.
Gunn performed under the name Raygun in the inaugural breakdancing competition – and went viral for the dance moves in her routine, which included one dubbed the “kangaroo dance”.
The 36-year-old Sydney university professor failed to score a single point and was heavily criticised, with parodies of her performance even played out on late-night TV in the US.
Pic: AP
Online criticism has included allegations that the Oceania qualifying event, held in Sydney last October, was set up to favour Gunn, and it questioned the judging which allowed her to qualify.
Meanwhile, Australian Olympic bosses have hit out at a “misleading and bullying” petition signed by more than 50,000 which criticises Gunn.
In a self-shot video on Instagram, Gunn said the reaction to her entry was “pretty devastating” and called on the media to “stop harassing my family and friends”.
She said: “I just want to start by thanking all the people who have supported me – I really appreciate the positivity and I’m glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives. That’s what I hoped.
“I didn’t realise that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has frankly been pretty devastating.
“While I went out there and I had fun, I did take it very seriously.
“I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics. I gave my all – truly.”
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Gunn added: “I’m honoured to have been a part of the Australian Olympic team and to be part of breaking’s [breakdancing’s] Olympic debut.”
On Thursday, Change.org, who published the petition demanding Gunn be held “accountable” introduced the following banner over it.
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It read: “This petition is under review by moderators who enforce our Community Guidelines.
“We have received flags from our users that the facts in this petition may be contested.
“You should consider researching this issue before signing.”
Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) chief executive officer Matt Carroll said the petition “contained numerous falsehoods” and amounted to “bullying and harassment and is defamatory”.