Australian Olympic Committee Defends Breaking Athlete Raygun Against ‘Bullying’ Petition After Scoring Zero At Paris Games

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has come to the defense of Olympic breaking competitor Rachael Gunn, denouncing an anonymous online petition as “vexatious, misleading and bullying.”

Gunn, a 36-year-old Sydney university professor known by her breaking name “Raygun,” received widespread criticism for her performance at the Paris Olympics, where breaking made its debut as an Olympic sport. Her routine, which included a “kangaroo dance,” failed to score any points and became the subject of ridicule, even appearing in parodies on U.S. late-night television.

The controversy intensified with the circulation of an online petition on change.org, which has garnered nearly 55,000 signatures. The petition alleges that Gunn “manipulated” Olympic qualification processes, a claim vehemently disputed by the AOC.

Matt Carroll, CEO of the AOC, announced that the committee has demanded the immediate removal of the petition from change.org. Carroll stated, “The petition contains numerous falsehoods designed to engender hatred against an athlete who was selected through a transparent and independent qualification process.”

The AOC has taken steps to refute several misconceptions circulating online. Contrary to claims, the committee affirmed that the Oceania qualifying event held in Sydney last October adhered to the qualification system established by the World DanceSport Federation and approved by the International Olympic Committee. The event’s judging panel consisted of nine independent international judges selected by the WDSF.

Addressing rumors about potential conflicts of interest, the AOC clarified that Gunn holds no positions within AUSBreaking or DanceSport Australia, describing her as “simply an athlete who competed in the qualifying event, which she won.”

The controversy has sparked a broader discussion about the inclusion of breaking in the Olympics. The sport is not currently slated to appear in the 2028 Los Angeles Games or the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Anna Meares, the Australian team’s chef de mission, has voiced strong support for Gunn, who has not yet returned to Australia following the Games.