- Jeff Dunne was ‘inundated with messages’ before competing
- Teenager was Australia’s male representative in breakdancing
- His coach Liam Masters confirmed the impact on the youngster
The coach of Australian breakdancer Raygun at the Paris Olympics believes Raygun’s much-criticised performance put unnecessary pressure on his teenage star.
Jeff Dunne’s coach Liam Masters took to Instagram this week to confirm the youngster was distracted after footage of fellow countrywoman Rachael Gunn went viral for all the wrong reasons.
‘On Saturday (before competing), Jeff woke up and his phone was just blowing up… hundreds and hundreds of messages with the videos, the memes, the jokes, the trolling, the articles (about Gunn),’ he posted in a reel.
‘The amount of pressure that was created for Jeff that day was ridiculous… he knew everyone was waiting to see if he was going to deliver or not.
‘I really hope the Australian media can support Jeff for his incredible achievement, for what he has done for his age and for what he has overcome.
“It’s a huge accomplishment to be 16 years old and overcome the overwhelming pressure that everyone was watching.”
Dunne, who competes under the name J-Attack, was eliminated after facing Ukrainian star ‘Kuzya’ in the first round.
Masters also expressed her belief that Gunn is a victim of online harassment.
Liam Masters, the Australian breakdancer’s coach at the Paris Olympics, believes Raygun’s devilish performance has piled more pressure on his teenage star.
Jeff Dunne’s coach Liam Masters took to Instagram this week to confirm the youngster was distracted after footage of fellow countrywoman Rachael Gunn went viral for all the wrong reasons.
16-year-old Jeff Dunne, who competes under the name J-Attack, was eliminated after facing Ukrainian star ‘Kuzya’ in the first round.
“This has to stop, it’s pathetic,” she said. “Raygun is a human being and he doesn’t deserve any of this.”
“I really hope that the Australian Breaking Committee, the WDSF (World Dance Sport Federation) Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee will be there to support her 100%. “
Meanwhile, Australian canoeing champion Jessica Fox, who won two gold medals in Paris, revealed the relentless criticism has had a “devastating” effect on Gunn.
“I spoke to her and it was devastating for her,” she said.
“To see the cost… it’s enormous what he’s been through. He’s definitely been feeling it.
“People are so quick to be terrible. She doesn’t deserve that.”
Other Australian Olympians have also expressed their support for Gunn, including swimmer Zac Stubblety-Cook.
He described the constant criticism as “disappointing” and said it was “amazing” to see Gunn smile during the closing ceremony in Paris.