Melbourne, Australia – Reuters
Breaker Rachael “Raygun” Gunn’s signature kangaroo bounce will never be seen on the competitive stage again after the Australian announced she couldn’t bring herself into battle following backlash to her performance at the Paris Olympics.
University lecturer Gunn became an overnight sensation after losing all three of her round robin fights by a score of 54-0 as the break made her Olympic debut at the Place de la Concorde.
The 37-year-old has been mocked online and in the mainstream media for everything from her moves to her official green team kit.
Gunn told Radio Sydney she is still breaking barriers but is not competing.
“I won’t compete anymore, no,” she said on the 2DayFM programme.
“I was definitely going to continue competing, but it seems very difficult for me to do that now to get close to the fight.
“Yes, I mean I’m still dancing, I’m still breaking. But, you know, this is like in my living room with my partner.
“It was really annoying. I had no control over how people saw me or who I was.
Fraction has been dropped from the Olympic program for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. Gunn said she would not consider coming out of retirement if dance sports returned to the Games.
An online petition accusing Gunn of tampering with qualification procedures to gain her place in Paris attracted 50,000 signatures before it was removed at the request of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).
The Australian Olympic Committee also refuted the claim that Gunn’s husband, Samuel Frye, who is also her coach, was involved in her selection.
“The conspiracy theories were absolutely wild,” Gunn said.
She added, “But I just try to stay positive and that’s what makes me succeed.”
“The people who said (said): ‘You inspired me to get out there and do something I was too shy to do.’ You brought joy, you brought laughter. You know, we’re so proud of you.”
