Rachael Gunn Retires After Olympic Backlash

Rachael Gunn, known as Raygun, has announced her retirement from competitive breakdancing following significant backlash and online criticism of her performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite initially planning to continue competing, Gunn described the experience as 'upsetting' and expressed that the scrutiny and conspiracy theories surrounding her qualification have made it difficult for her to return to the competitive scene. She faced ridicule for her unorthodox routines, including a 'kangaroo hop', and was criticized for not scoring any points during her three matches. Gunn stated that she still enjoys dancing privately but cannot bear the thought of competing again, especially given the negative attention she received. The Australian Olympic Committee has refuted the conspiracy theories regarding her qualification, calling them misleading and harmful. Gunn emphasized her desire to focus on the positives and the support she received from fans and fellow dancers.