- Jacqui Lambie has given her opinion on Australian breakdancer Raygun
- The Australian failed at the Paris Olympics
- But Lambie says Australians should be “proud” of her.
Rachael Gunn has found an unexpected ally in Jacqui Lambie, with the outspoken senator launching a staunch defence of the breakdancer.
Gunn, whose stage name is Raygun, went viral following her performance at the inaugural women’s event in Paris over the weekend, where she earned three consecutive zeros from the judges.
The university professor was He was mercilessly mocked for his “embarrassing” performance in the sport’s Olympic debut, with her mental health being monitored amid the online attack.
Raygun has also received public support for her performance – in which she hopped around like a kangaroo and silenced her rivals – and was credited by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for giving her best at the event.
And Lambie echoed Albanese’s thoughts on the ABC’s QandA program on Monday night, when the panel was asked for their opinion on Raygun’s performance amid claims she has benefited from taxpayers’ money to pursue her Olympic dream.
“To be honest, we should be really proud of everyone who has been there,” she said.
“I don’t care if they are in the Olympics, good for them. Anyone who is in the sports field, even if they are not competing for medals, just go out on the sports field for their physical and psychological health.
“I think that’s a fantastic thing.”
Jacqui Lambie has strongly defended Australian breakdancer Raygun
The 36-year-old university professor failed miserably at the Olympics
Government minister Bill Shorten went a step further than Lambie, calling Raygun a “hero” while responding to the taxpayers’ claim.
“I think she got a grant of about $20,000 and they helped her with her plane tickets. She’s a heroine. I like her, she’s brave, people should support her.”
Lambie’s fellow Australian senator Jane Hume implored the public to be “proud” of Raygun.
“She’s a better breakdancer than me, I have to admit,” Hume joked.
‘I think it’s fantastic how well our athletes have done, particularly our female athletes and Raygun is one of them.
“It was a real highlight for me to see how well our female athletes did. Let’s all be proud.”
Gunn could still capitalize on his newfound fame in other areas, including the Australian version of Dancing With The Stars.
Bookmakers Crypto Sports Betting have given him a 6/4 price to appear on the upcoming season of the popular entertainment show, while his chances of appearing as a contestant on Australian reality show I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here are valued at 4/1.
There has been some debate surrounding the selection of Raygun as Australia’s pacer.
But Bill Shorten insisted the “brave” breakdancer should be embraced as a “hero”.
There’s even talk that Gunn could enjoy a supporting role on the big or small screen, and the breakdancer is priced at 7/1 to land an acting job thanks to her performance at the Olympics.
Other possibilities include having her own reality show (9/1), appearing in a music video (12/1) and, somewhat less compelling, making Australia’s team for the 2028 Olympics (33/1).
After being mercilessly mocked for her “embarrassing” display in the sport’s Olympic debut, Gunn’s mental health is also being monitored amid the online attack.