• Loading stock data...
Thursday, November 21, 2024

Raygun’s Viral Olympic Competition Will Be Her Last

The Australian gained international fame in Paris for her unconventional breakdancing performance, which earned zero points.

Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images

The competitive breakdancing career of viral Olympian Rachael Gunn, known as Raygun, is over.

The 37-year-old said on an Australian radio show that she will continue to dance, but ever since the Games, she hasn’t wanted to enter a competition. “I’m not going to compete anymore,” she said Tuesday on The Jimmy & Nath Show. “I was going to keep competing, for sure, but that seems a really difficult thing for me to do now, to approach a battle.

“I think the level of scrutiny that’s going to be there, and people will be filming it and it’ll go online, and it’s just not going to mean the same thing,” Gunn said. 

Gunn received a slew of online backlash and conspiracy theories following her zero-point performance in the Olympics, easily becoming the main storyline for the sport’s first and potentially only trip to the Games. Her teal-and-yellow Olympic uniform even became a popular Halloween costume. Breakdancing will not return to the 2028 Olympics, a decision that was made two years before Gunn’s viral routine.

On Thursday, Gunn went on an Australian TV show to clarify her comments. “Raygun’s not retiring,” she said on The Project, adding that she’ll still dance and enter “community jams,” but avoid official competitions.

Gunn, a university lecturer with a Ph.D. in cultural studies and a thesis about Sydney’s breaking scene, was accused of manipulating her way onto the Olympic team and performing poorly on purpose. (She had won local competitions in Australia.) Gunn has said that she knew she was going to be “the underdog” in Paris, and she wanted to “do something new and different and creative.” Paying homage to her home country, she incorporated a kangaroo hop and pose into her routine.

“I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves, so I wanted to move differently,” Gunn said following the Games. “How many chances do you get in a lifetime to do that on an international stage?”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NBA Legend Hubie Brown Stepping Away From ESPN at 91

Brown has been associated with the league for over 50 years.
Sep 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis acknowledges a fan before the start of a game between the Raiders and the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.

Mark Davis to Unload More of the Raiders

He’s agreed to give 15% to new owners, shortly after the Brady sale.
Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Who Can Actually Afford Juan Soto?

0:00

Featured Today

Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Nov 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after fouling Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (not pictured) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.
opinion
November 16, 2024

NBA Ratings Rorschach Test: Buy the Dip

Was it the election? Too many threes? Lack of storylines?
November 15, 2024

Executive Decision: When Richard Nixon Named a College Football Champion

In 1969, the 37th president unilaterally named the winner of the season.
November 15, 2024

How Women’s Sports Could Change in the Next Trump Era

Under the president-elect, Title IX could change drastically.
Michele Kang

The Wealthy Booster Spending Millions to Turn U.S. Soccer European

Michele Kang says NWSL expansion requires more coaches and refs.
Nov 3, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is sacked during an extra point attempt by Washington Commanders defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) during the second half at MetLife Stadium.
November 18, 2024

Giants Hit Rock Bottom, Demote QB Daniel Jones With $23 Million Injury..

Jones signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension in March 2023.
May 27, 2024; Paris, France; Rafael Nadal of Spain waves goodbye after his match against Alexander Zverev of Germany on day two of Roland Garros at Stade Roland Garros.
November 19, 2024

Rafael Nadal Bids Farewell to Tennis at Davis Cup

Nadal surpassed the $135 million mark in career earnings.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Bronny James
November 13, 2024

Bronny James Won’t Play G League Road Games

G League players travel on commercial airlines.
Despondent Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.
November 12, 2024

The $23 Million Reason a Daniel Jones Benching Is Looming

Injury guarantees have come into play for several quarterbacks in recent years.
Nick Bosa
November 12, 2024

NFL Waited for Trump Win to Fine Nick Bosa for MAGA Hat

The league usually issues such fines quickly, but waited weeks for Bosa.
November 10, 2024

Why 23-Year-Old Phenom Roki Sasaki Will Be MLB’s Biggest Bargain

The star pitcher’s youth and talent make him highly coveted by all 30 teams.