The Australian who has gone viral for her impressive Olympic routine has criticised the IOC for eliminating the new sport of breaking without giving her a chance to succeed.
Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn sent the internet into a tizzy with her Olympic debut last night, failing to score a single point in three rounds of qualifying.
He hopped like a kangaroo, sometimes looked like a T-Rex, and rolled around on the ground in a disjointed manner that both confused and amused Australians returning home to see the sport for the first time.
There will be no second act, however, as the break has already been cut from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and is highly unlikely to reappear in Brisbane in 2032.
Zack Slusser, vice president of Breaking for Gold USA and USA Dance, said the early elimination of the fledgling sport was because athletes couldn’t afford it.
“It was a miracle that we were in Paris in the first place,” he said.
“But for the breaking community, it’s an achievement worth celebrating, even if it doesn’t make it back to the Olympic stage.”
Raygun broke the Internet with his performance in Paris, but for all the wrong reasons.
Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn was criticized for her performance in the new Olympic sport of breaking
Gunn failed to score a single point in three series and his routine went viral
Spectators lined up to heavily criticise her routine which sent her to the bottom of the rankings, ahead of only Manizha Talash, who was disqualified for displaying the words ‘free Afghan women’ on her outfit.
“Raygun has a PhD in cultural studies and teaches about breaking, hip-hop culture, and gender studies related to these specific dances. It’s Napoleon Dynamite-worthy stuff,” said one audience member after their performances.
“The fact that Raygun has a PhD in breakdancing is in itself a commentary on academia versus real-world experience,” another added.
“I feel a little bad for Raygun, the Aussie #BreakingForGold, but that routine was hilariously ridiculous,” another posted.
In a scathing social media post, Gunn lashed out at people who criticised her Olympic uniform, after some trolls suggested she looked like a tennis line umpire.
However, it’s possible that I misinterpreted the situation with this response, given that most of the criticism directed at her was about her performance, not her unremarkable outfit.
However, Raygun remains optimistic about the sport and criticised the organisers for cancelling it without really giving it a chance.
“It was disappointing that it was decided not to be shown in Los Angeles, especially before we had a chance to show it,” he said.
“Maybe it was a little premature. I wonder if they’re regretting it now.”
What is an Olympic sport? What similarities are there between dressage and artistic swimming, between the 100-meter dash and the pentathlon?
“Breaking is clearly an athletic activity, which clearly requires a level of total dedication in several different aspects. It’s really bringing a new level of excitement.”
In a virulent social media post, Gunn also hit out at people who criticised her Olympic uniform, after some trolls suggested she looked like a tennis lineswoman.
However, it’s possible that I misinterpreted the situation with this response, given that most of the criticism directed at her was about her performance, not her unremarkable outfit..
“I hope tomorrow the same level of scrutiny is put on what bboys wear,” she posted on Instagram, suggesting there was a sexist element to the backlash.
In a separate post, she said: “Don’t be afraid to be different. Go out and represent yourself, you never know where that will take you.”
Gunn believes breaking was removed from the Olympics prematurely and said organisers would be “kicking themselves”
Although breaking has been removed from the 2028 Games, the governing body is pushing for it to return for the 2032 Brisbane Games.
World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) president Shawn Tay said the organisation was “deeply disappointed” not to be able to return to California in 2028. But he hopes the sport can return to Brisbane.
“Our campaign to be added to Brisbane 2032 has already begun and is being ably led by our First Vice President and Australian Resident, Tony Tilenni,” Tay said.
‘Initial reactions from all participants to the last-minute submissions, including Brisbane officials at the Australian Olympic Committee celebrations one year ahead of the Paris 2024 Games, have been very optimistic about our chances of being added to these Games.
Even if breaking never makes it back to the Olympics, Slusser hopes the exposure that comes with being at the Paris Games will bring new levels of interest to the sport.
“The amount of exposure to the right people who can create real change in our community, on our platform and help it grow, will be important for us. It will allow us, for the first time, to find sustainability and help us elevate our platform,” Slusser said.
“It would be fantastic to see breaking back in the Olympics. But at the same time, it will be a real challenge for the community and to take advantage of this opportunity internally.”