- Fallout worsens after Rachael Gunn’s shocking performance at the Olympics
- Breaker and chef de mission in the crosshairs of an explosive request
- Contains strong accusations about the selection process
The fallout from Rachael Gunn’s performance at the Paris Olympics has reached the next level, with more than 15,000 Australians signing a petition demanding an apology from the controversial breakdancer.
Gunn’s poorly received display went viral for all the wrong reasons, and she decided to stay in Europe rather than return to Australia with the rest of the country’s Olympic team on Wednesday.
Her teammates treated her like a cult heroine when she took an impromptu break just before the closing ceremony in Paris, but the petition shows the reaction at home has been very different.
It was launched on August 12 on the change.org platform and at the time of writing this article had attracted more than 15,100 signatures.
The petition calls for “immediate accountability and transparency over recent actions” by Gunn and the dismissal of Parisian chef Anna Meares over how Gunn won the selection to represent Australia in Paris.
The 36-year-old is accused of “manipulating the selection process for her own benefit” in order to be chosen over other, more talented Australian breakout performers, an allegation described as “raising serious questions about the fairness and integrity of the process”.
“We demand a public apology from Rachel Gunn and Anna Mears (sic) for misleading the Australian public and attempting to deceive them and undermine the efforts of genuine athletes,” the statement read.
‘We also call for a full investigation into the selection process, an audit of Dr. Gunn’s business dealings, and a global public apology to the breaking community.’
Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn’s widely criticized routines at the Paris Games have had even more shocking consequences
A petition demanding a public apology from Australian breakdancer and Paris Olympics chair Anna Meares has received more than 15,100 signatures (pictured)
The statement accuses Gunn (pictured) and Meares of “attempting to mislead the public.”
Meares blamed sexism for widespread criticism of Raygun’s performance in an angry statement on Sunday in which she also called the Sydney resident Australia’s best breakdancer.
This sparked a backlash as Australians criticised the Paris Olympics boss and said misogyny had nothing to do with people criticising Raygun.
“Saying that bashing Raygun (I can’t even believe I’m typing that name!) is sexism = bullshit! A complete cop-out!” posted one X user in a comment that summed up the feelings of many.
It has since emerged that Gunn (whose husband Samuel Free is her coach and introduced her to breaking) was happily offered a job by the Australian women’s cricket team.
However, marketing expert Max Markson was dead serious when he said the academic, who has a PhD in breaking, could make millions from her newfound fame.
Meares (pictured) angered many Australians when she attributed the harsh criticism of Raygun’s performances to sexism.
“He has a huge brand,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Her reputation in Australia is not very good, but she is famous all over the world.
‘I don’t think people in other countries are aware of how Australians feel about her.
‘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 shoe 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, Optus or Vodafone.
“There will be other international companies that will also want it.”