An Australian woman breakdancer by the name of Rachael “Raygun” Gunn became a subject of intense social media chatter over her performance in the Paris Olympics. Raygun was ridiculed on the internet for her unique Paris Olympics routine, triggering memes and jokes from fans all across the globe. Raygun’s breaking performance, featuring one move compared to a kangaroo hopping, lost all three of her match-ups against rival dancers, or B-Girls. Her moves unleashed a string of social media memes and unfavourable comparisons, including one on X of Homer Simpson rolling around the floor.
Gunn, a 36-year-old Sydney university lecturer, was also criticised by some for wearing her green-and-gold team uniform, shunning the urban streetwear favoured by others.
This will never not be funny. #Raygun pic.twitter.com/6hOKMyOue9
— Nara Hodge (@Nara_Hodge) August 12, 2024
Raygun was even mocked by Jimmy Fallon, a popular talk show host in the United States of America. “Breakdancing made its Olympics debut and everybody is talking about the competitor from Australia, Raygun,” Fallon began in his opening monologue as audience broke into laughter upon hearing the Australian performer’s name.
Viral Australian breakdancer “Raygun” (@TheRealDratch) crashes Jimmy’s monologue! #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/A1uaetO1sY
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) August 13, 2024
“She actually received zero points for that. You have to wonder where Raygun is right now,” he further said.
Australia has formally requested that people stop doing videos making fun of their Olympic breakdancer named ‘RayGun’.
This TikTok user wins the internet today pic.twitter.com/4yRgZeQrlf
— MrTruthBomb (@realMrTruthBomb) August 12, 2024
It’s surprising that Raygun from Australia is the top breaker. The kangaroo move —how did she make it this far?! #BreakingForGold She should’ve swapped the kangaroo for a banana to really stand out. What is this? Seriously, is breakdancing really an Olympic event? pic.twitter.com/9zKeyt1MQp
— Bites Of Net (@BitesOfNet) August 9, 2024
“Looking forward to the same level of scrutiny on what the bboys wear tomorrow,” the Australian replied on Instagram late on Friday night in Paris.
“I was always going to be the underdog going in,” she told Australia’s Nine Network after her last Paris performance.
“I was never going to beat these B-Girls at what they do, so I did what I do best and I went out and I showed myself, my creativity, my style, a little bit of Australian character so that I could try and make my mark on this world stage.”
She was quoted as telling reporters it was a “matter of pride” for her to wear the Australian uniform.
One reporter and commentator in The Australian newspaper, Will Swanton, said people should “lay off” the athlete.
“She was cheerful, proud and actually cared enough about her country to wear the green and gold,” he wrote.
“Sure, the biggest thing she broke was the internet. But there’s a lot worse performers at every sport at every Olympics,” he said.
“She spoke beautifully afterwards and anyone who knows her says she’s a lovely human.”
On her own Instagram account, Gunn posted: “Don’t be afraid to be different, go out there and represent yourself, you never where that’s gonna take you.”
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