For Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, her polarizing performance at the Olympics was just the beginning of an intense chapter that continued on the streets of Paris.
Rachael Gunn, a 37-year-old university lecturer from Sydney who celebrated her birthday on Monday, stunned both experts and casual viewers alike in the sport of breaking with an unconventional routine that included mimicking a kangaroo. This marked the first time breaking was contested at the Olympics, and it may remain a unique occurrence, as the sport is not scheduled for the Los Angeles 2028 or Brisbane 2032 Olympic programs.
Known by her breaking alias “Raygun,” Gunn faced relentless ridicule on social media, with some posts also questioning the Olympic qualifying process. In a revealing interview on Australia’s Channel 10 program “The Project,” she shared her harrowing experience of being chased by cameras through the streets of Paris and the public’s strong reaction to her performance.
“That was really wild,” she said in a rare public comment since the event. “If people are chasing me, what do I do? That really did put me in a state of panic. I was nervous to be out in public. It was pretty nerve-wracking for a while.”
Though Gunn apologized for the commotion, she stood by her performance and expressed gratitude for the support she received from her peers in the sport. “It is really sad to hear those criticisms,” she said. “I am very sorry for the backlash that the community has experienced, but I can’t control how people react. The energy and vitriol that people had was pretty alarming.”
Despite the controversy, Gunn emphasized the seriousness and dedication she brought to her Olympic preparation. “While I went out there and had fun, I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics and I gave my all, truly. I think my record speaks to that.”
Having already defended her qualifying process, Gunn reiterated during the TV program, “I won the Oceania championships. It was a direct qualifier. There were nine judges, all from overseas. I knew my chances were slim as soon as I qualified for the Olympics.”
Reflecting on the broader reactions, Gunn explained, “People didn’t understand breaking and were just angry about my performance. The conspiracy theories were just awful and that was really upsetting. People are now attacking our reputation and our integrity—none of them were grounded in facts.”
One of the most pointed critiques came from a sketch on American comedian Jimmy Fallon’s late-night television show. Gunn admitted she was not in a place to watch it yet.
A month after the events, Gunn is trying to move forward, seeking support from therapy to navigate the ups and downs. “I definitely have my ups and downs, good and bad days,” she said. “It has been so amazing to see the positive response to my performance. I never thought I’d be able to connect with so many people in a positive way… but it definitely has been tough at times. Fortunately, I got some mental health support pretty quickly.”
Gunn continues her journey with resilience, navigating the aftermath of her Olympic appearance while holding onto the support from her community and the broader world of breaking.
