Australian breakdancing sensation Rachel ‘Raygun’ Gunn has revealed she will not compete at the Olympics again after receiving a barrage of ‘disturbing’ abuse following her performances in Paris.
The university professor has kept a low profile since the Summer Games, but has spoken about how she was left heartbroken by the “devastating” online hate she received after the Olympics.
Raygun, 37, went viral following her one-off performances at the Place de la Concorde earlier this summer, with the B-girl jumping like a kangaroo and writhing on the ground like a snake.
He then scored no points in his three games in Paris.
While some were in awe of the Olympic breakdancer, including music sensation Adele, who recently stopped one of her shows to praise the New South Wales-born dancer, Raygun was the target of scrutiny and criticism from many online .
On Wednesday, the Australian confirmed the 2DayFM Jimmy and Nath from Sydney for breakfast that he does not want to compete in the Olympic Games again.
“It’s been really disturbing,” Raygun told Jimmy and Nath.
“I just didn’t have any control over how people saw me or who I was.”
Raygun, in fact, would still be the world’s number one breakdancer after the games, but admits that she is not interested in competing in Los Angeles in 2028.
‘Say four years from now, would you go to the Olympics again?’ Nath said to the shooting star.
“No,” she replied, laughing. ‘Nooooooo.’
When asked if he would continue Breaking, Raygun responded, “I’m still breaking, but I don’t compete.” I’m not going to compete anymore. No no.
Recently, Raygun responded to online trolls after appearing on the cover of Stellar magazine. During an interview with the outlet, she stated that while “her whole world has changed,” she wouldn’t let the criticism get to her.
But speaking to Jimmy and Nath, the university professor added that before traveling to Paris, she has re-evaluated her future in the sport after the Paris Olympics.
Australian Olympic breakdancing sensation Rachel ‘Raygun’ Gunn has spoken about her Olympic future
Raygun responded to his critics by stating that the abuse he received during the Games was “really disturbing.”
“Yes, for sure I was going to continue competing (in future Olympic Games), but that seems very difficult to do now to face a battle,” he said on the radio program.
‘Keep moving forward?’ -Nath asked.
‘Yes, I mean I still dance and I still do Break. But you know, that’s like in my living room with my partner!’ she laughed.
Opening herself up to scrutiny, Raygun admits that she knows there will be a level of scrutiny towards her, adding that competing in the games will never be the same because of it.
Jimmy asked, “Is it like you potentially lost it before you even came out because people already have an opinion about you?”
“I think the level of scrutiny that will be there,” Raygun responded.
‘You know, people will film it, it will be posted online and it just won’t mean the same.
“It’s not going to be the same experience because of everything at stake.”
As for what the future holds, Raygun also recently denied that he would be appearing on a reality show despite growing speculation that he could enter the jungle.
“Dancing is a lot of fun and it makes you feel good,” she added during the podcast.
‘I don’t think people should feel screwed about the way they dance.
“If you go out and have fun on the dance floor, then make it yours.”
He also spoke about the conspiracy theories surrounding his appearances at the Olympics, with some bizarrely claiming that Raygun had been planted at the games.
“Someone thought they stood you up like they put you there to make noise,” Jimmy said.
The Olympic breakdancing star was criticized for her routine in which she jumped like a kangaroo
But Raygun says he will no longer compete in future Olympics.
But when talking about how he has overcome the criticism, Raygun said: “Look, it’s surreal.”
‘It is still impossible to process. The conspiracy theories were totally crazy.
He added: “But I try to stay positive and that’s what helps me get ahead.” The people I liked (said), “You’ve inspired me to go out and do something I was too shy to do. You’ve brought me joy, you’ve made me laugh, you know we’re so proud.” of you
“And really wonderful things that people have written and that’s what I hold on to.”