Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, the 37-year-old Australian breakdancer who sparked controversy at the Paris Olympics, has announced her retirement from competitive dancing. Gunn’s decision comes after an overwhelming wave of online criticism and parody following her unique Olympic performance, which marked a challenging and, at times, hostile reception from the public.
‘I’m Not Going to Compete Anymore,’ says Raygun
In a candid interview with Australian radio station 2DayFM, Gunn shared her decision to step away from competition. “I’m not going to compete anymore,” she said. “I was going to keep competing for sure, but that seems like a really difficult thing for me to do now.” Gunn cited the intense scrutiny she faced at the Olympics as a key reason for her decision, noting that future competitions would be challenging under a continued public spotlight.
Gunn’s Olympic routine, which included moves like kangaroo hops and a playful ‘sprinkler’ dance, drew wide criticism and even became the subject of mockery on late-night talk shows. Her green tracksuit, a nod to Australia, was also ridiculed, leading to a surge of online conspiracy theories about her path to the Olympic team.
Rachael Gunn response to criticism
For Rachael Gunn, the scrutiny was overwhelming and affected her outlook on future competitions. “The level of scrutiny that’s going to be there… people will be filming it, it will be going online, it’s just not going to be the same experience,” she explained. Despite the backlash, Gunn maintains she prepared rigorously for the Olympics and was proud of her performance. “I went out there, and I had fun. I took it very seriously, worked my butt off, and gave it my all.”
Call for Joy in Dance
Although stepping away from competition, Gunn plans to continue dancing recreationally. “I still dance, and I still break. But, you know, that’s like in my living room with my partner,” she said. Gunn also offered encouragement for others to find joy in dance, emphasising that it’s about the experience, not perfection. “Dancing is so much fun, and it makes you feel good. I don’t think people should feel bad about the way they dance. If you get out there and have fun on the dance floor, then just own it.”
Rise and Fall of an Olympic Breakdancer
Raygun briefly held the number one spot in the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) women’s breakdancing rankings after her Oceania Championship win. Her journey came at a pivotal time, as breakdancing made its Olympic debut in Paris. However, the sport will not be featured in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, making Gunn’s performance one of the few Olympic appearances for breakdancers.
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