- Ariarne Tirmus has given her support to Raygun
- Break dancer suffered a shocking performance in Paris
- But Titmus says the Australians outmaneuvered her in the village.
Ariarne Titmus has revealed what the reception Raygun received when she returned to the Olympic Village after her dismal breakdancing performance.
Rachael Gunn became the biggest story of the Olympics when she failed to score a point from the judges for her routines in the inaugural women’s competition, in which she imitated a kangaroo and performed a dance move called the “sprinkler.”
He has since been mercilessly mocked online and has decided not to return to Australia with his team-mates given the critical response to his performance at home.
But several high-profile figures, including Anthony Albanese and Jess Fox, have come out in support of the 36-year-old university lecturer, with many crediting her with giving her best during the competition.
The AOC also angrily rejected an online petition calling for an investigation into the selection process that led to Raygun representing Australia on the world stage.
And swimming champion Titmus, speaking on The Project on Thursday night, expressed her sympathy for Raygun and shared how Australians outdid her in the village amid the online attack.
“I’m one of them, we’re all teammates,” she said. “You have to really put yourself in their shoes.”
‘Regardless of the circumstances, bullying is not okay, we don’t wish it on anyone. I hope she’s okay, it’s incredible how much this has touched everyone. I really can’t believe it.’
Ariarne Titmus has shared how the Australian Olympic team overcame Raygun
Rachael Gunn scored zero points for her breakdancing routine that has since gone viral
Reflecting on the atmosphere in the team after Raygun returned to the athlete centre, he said: “It was amazing. We made a circle for her, we were having dance battles, we were all moving around her.
“We’re the Australian team and she’s an Australian Olympian, so we were able to get through her. I think she’s probably having a tough time right now, so I hope she’s okay.”
Nearly 50,000 people have signed a change.org petition calling for a public apology since it was created on Monday.
It is demanding “immediate accountability and transparency over the recent actions” by Gunn and Paris chef de mission Anna Meares over how Gunn won selection to represent Australia in Paris.
The call to action accuses the 36-year-old of “manipulating the selection process for her own benefit” so that she could be chosen over other, more talented Australian breakout performers, an allegation described as “raising serious questions about the fairness and integrity of the process”.
Titmus says Australian Olympians welcomed her with open arms when she returned to the village in Paris.
No evidence has been provided to support the petition’s claims.
AOC boss Matt Carroll said the petition, which demands a public apology from Gunn and Meares, is “appalling” and has “no basis in fact.”
Carroll said the request was an “affront” to Meares, who had no role in overseeing the nomination of Olympians to the AOC selection committee or in qualifying events for the different sports.
She also said it “sparked public hatred” against Gunn and that AOC had written to change.org demanding the petition be removed immediately.