Australian Breakdancer Who Scored Zero Points at Last Year's Olympics Quits the Sport After Intense Online Backlash

Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, popularly known as Raygun, who gained viral attention at the 2024 Paris Olympics for her distinctive dance moves, announced that she is stepping away from competitive dancing after facing public backlash. 

Raygun confirmed her breakdancing retirement and that she would not compete in future Olympics. "I had planned to continue, but it feels too difficult now to approach another battle." 

The 37-year-old athlete was subjected to ridicule online after scoring zero points in the Olympic breakdancing event in August. "It’s been really upsetting," Raygun said. "I had no control over how people saw me or who I was." 

Raygun competes in the breaking event in the Paris Olympics 2024

Her performance sparked a broader debate, with some critics calling it "uncomfortable" and an example of "non-Black individuals intellectualizing Black culture." 

Dr. Ronx, an award-winning nonbinary doctor, voiced concern on Instagram about how the Olympics, featuring a sport rooted in Black and Brown cultures for the first time, failed to highlight individuals from those communities. "It's hard for Black and Brown people to watch a white Australian doctor speak about reimagining a culture that started in the Bronx," they said. "Many can't even 'be themselves' on stage because survival takes priority." 

Raygun also denied accusations that she manipulated the selection process for the Paris Games, choosing herself to represent Australia. "I had no idea it would lead to so much hate. It's been devastating," she said. "I worked incredibly hard preparing for the Olympics, and I’m proud to have been part of the Australian team and breaking's Olympic debut."

Breaking made its debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics but will not be featured in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.