Olympian Rachael “Raygun” Gunn has retired from breaking, citing the intense response to her much-ridiculed Paris 2024 efficiency as the principle cause for giving the game away.
“I nonetheless break, however I do not compete. I am not going to compete any extra. No. No,” Gunn informed 2DayFM on Thursday.
“I used to be going to maintain competing, for positive, however that appears actually tough for me to do now to method a battle.”
Gunn, who has a PhD in gender research and cultural research associated to breakdancing, confronted widespread criticism and bullying after scoring no factors in her Paris battles on the Place de la Harmony.
“It has been actually upsetting. I simply did not have any management over how individuals noticed me or who I used to be,” Gunn mentioned.
“Dancing is a lot enjoyable, and it makes you are feeling good. I do not suppose individuals ought to really feel crap about the best way that they dance.
“For those who get on the market, and you’ve got enjoyable on the dance ground, then simply personal it.”
Gunn’s distinctive efficiency in Paris was fiercely criticised, with some suggesting she was mocking the tradition of breaking.
The much-memed efficiency even led to conspiracy theories about how she was chosen within the first place.
Some web trolls advised that her husband and coach, Samuel Free, had by some means manufactured her choice to the Australian staff, with a petition on change.com demanding rapid transparency on her choice.
The Australian Olympic Committee and AUSBreaking each refuted these accusations, describing the petition as “vexatious, deceptive and bullying”.
Rachael “Raygun” Gunn turned the unlikely face of the Paris Olympics. (AAP Picture: Dan Himbrechts)
Australian chef de mission Anna Meares gave an emotional press convention the place she slammed the misogynistic tone of the criticism, praising the braveness of Gunn.
“Look, it is surreal,” Gunn mentioned.
“It is nonetheless unattainable to course of. The conspiracy theories had been completely wild.
“However I simply attempt to keep on the positives and that is what will get me via. The those that have like [said], you’ve got impressed me to go on the market and do one thing that I have been too shy to do. You’ve got introduced pleasure, you’ve got introduced laughter. You recognize, we’re so happy with you.
“And identical to actually f***ing pretty issues that folks have written and that’s simply what I maintain on to.”
Gunn was ranked the primary feminine breaker in Oceania, profitable the Oceania championships in October 2023 to earn her spot within the Video games.
Breaking made its Olympic debut in Paris, however was not included on this system for the subsequent Video games in Los Angeles, 2028.
Even when it had been, Gunn mentioned she wouldn’t think about one other bid on the Video games.
