Peter FitzSimons has branded critics of Australian breakdancing disaster Raygun “completely despondent and un-Australian idiots”.
The eye-catching yet technically inept breakdancing performance by Dr. Rachael Gunn, known by her stage name Raygun, at the Paris Olympics made headlines around the world earlier this month.
Amid the hilarity, it also sparked anger among many Australians who believed Raygun, a 36-year-old from Sydney, had embarrassed the country on the world stage and taken the place of a better dancer.
The anger led more than 45,000 people to sign a petition accusing Raygun of manipulating the selection process and denying younger, more technically competent dancers the chance to compete.
The Australian Olympic Committee called the petition “vexatious and misleading” and it was subsequently withdrawn.
Now Peter FitzSimons, the husband of former TV star Lisa Wilkinson, has weighed in, accusing the petition signatories of shaming Australia.
“So, his performance wasn’t up to the usual level of athletic excellence that’s usually associated with the Olympics, so what?” FitzSimons asked.
The eye-catching yet technically inept breakdancing performance by Dr Rachael Gunn (pictured), known by her stage name Raygun, at the Paris Olympics made headlines around the world earlier this month.
Peter FitzSimons (pictured), the husband of former TV star Lisa Wilkinson, has accused Raygun’s critics of shaming Australia.
“It was… say it after me… funny, and most of the world, really, has laughed at it.”
The journalist and commentator argued that nowhere else in the world “can one even come close to the evil displayed in that miserable petition.”
“And when you’re consuming a solid diet of hate provided by pay-TV bullies, talk shows and critical commentary, this lonely woman is the perfect one to pile your hate on this fortnight, before moving on to the next woman,” FitzSimons wrote.
‘Seriously, get in the trash.’
FitzSimons then turned his withering gaze towards PR king Max Markson, who last week told this publication that Raygun had a “huge brand” and predicted it would be in high demand on the international stage.
“I don’t think people in other countries are aware of how Australians feel about her,” Markson said.
‘I think Australian retailers will avoid it for that reason, but there will be someone in this country who will take advantage of it.
‘You will receive international offers from sports footwear brands such as Adidas or Puma, from food companies such as McDonald’s or KFC, from electric cars such as BYD, and you will get a telephone company such as Telstra or Optus or Vodafone.’
However, FitzSimons selectively quoted Mr Markson and poured cold water on his predictions.
“In Australia, I think sponsors will run away in terror over this ridiculous controversy. Overseas, it was great fun but it’s forgotten,” he wrote.
On Thursday night, Raygun issued a deeply personal message to the world after her disastrous performance at the Olympics turned her into a viral sensation.
On Thursday night, Raygun issued a deeply personal message to the world after her disastrous performance at the Olympics turned her into a viral sensation.
The Sydney-based university professor She shared her thoughts on her performance, the online attack she has suffered and wild conspiracy theories in the message posted on Instagram.
“I didn’t realize that would also open the door to so much hate, which, frankly, has been pretty devastating,” she said.
“I went out and had fun, but I took it very seriously. I worked really hard preparing for the Olympics and I gave it my all. I really did.”