- Raygun predicted that he could become an internet sensation
- An academic paper he co-wrote hinted at the possibility looming in Paris.
- Breakdancer became the story of the Olympic Games
Rachael Gunn was the story of the Paris Olympics, with fans trashing her bizarre breakdancing routine that earned her zero points.
But the 36-year-old university lecturer eerily predicted it could go viral 12 months before her Paris disaster.
Prior to travelling to France for the Olympics, Gunn, better known by her stage name Raygun, published a research paper examining the inclusion of breaking at the Paris Games, titled: ‘The Australian breaking scene and the Olympic Games: the possibilities and politics of sportification’.
The 18-page document discusses a variety of talking points, but also discusses the possibility of massive media attention catapulting the sport into the stratosphere.
One of his interviewees, Lowe Napalan, said: ‘The good thing about the Olympics, and the best thing, is the media attention.
‘So, we can do a repeat of, say, what happened with (…) Rock Steady (Crew), the whole media boom, and then everyone started to break down.
“There’s a chance that could happen again with the Olympics, which is what we really want to leverage to get those numbers in the community.”
As it was, Raygun became the biggest talking point at the Olympics, with her unique moves that included kangaroo hops and snake-like contortions sending the internet into hysteria.
Raygun made a disturbing prediction before becoming an internet sensation
The 36-year-old university professor was mercilessly mocked online for her performance in Paris.
One of his academic papers suggested that the sport could receive enormous media attention.
Music superstar Adele even stopped her concert in Munich to discuss Raygun’s performance.
“I’m not saying anything, but I think it’s the best thing that’s ever happened at the Olympics,” Adele told her fans.
‘Did anyone see the lady breakdancing?’
‘Now I didn’t even know breakdancing was an Olympic sport these days. It’s fucking fantastic. I really believe it.
“Aaron, my percussionist, is pissing himself laughing just thinking about it.”
But Raygun told fans the online attack has been “quite devastating.”
“Hey everyone, this is Raygun,” he said in a video posted to Instagram. “I just want to start off by thanking all the people who have supported me.
‘I really appreciate the positivity and I’m glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives, that’s what I was hoping for.
‘I didn’t realize that would also open the door to so much hate, which, frankly, has been pretty devastating.
‘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.
“I’m honoured to have been part of the Australian Olympic team and to have participated in breaking’s Olympic debut. What the other athletes have achieved has been phenomenal.”