• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

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

The Florida State Seminoles hosted the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

Athletic Departments Express Renewed Interest in PE in Wake of House Settlement

Schools now have more expenses—and are looking for creative solutions.
Caster Semenya

Caster Semenya’s Legal Win Could Reopen Fight Against Testosterone Limits

The Olympian champion’s appeal against gender eligibility rules continues.
Gareth Bale
exclusive

Gareth Bale Group Makes New Offer for Cardiff City 

Bale tells Front Office Sports his group has made another bid.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell during the NFLPA press conference at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

NFLPA Head Has Side Hustle With PE Firm That Can Invest in..

The NFLPA’s executive director is embroiled in multiple controversies.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.

Jalen Williams Signs Max Deal As Thunder Commit $822M to 3 Stars

Oklahoma City also extended Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.
July 10, 2025

Suns All In on Booker, Who Signs Record Extension Amidst Chaos

The Suns changed their head coach for the fourth time in four years.
Hall of Fame Open at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport.
July 10, 2025

Andy Roddick Slams Billionaire Bill Ackman’s Pro Tennis Gambit

“This was the biggest joke I’ve ever watched in professional tennis.”
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Amanda Anisimova of the United States celebrates winning her match against Aryna Sabalenka on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Amanda Anisimova Stuns Sabalenka to Reach Wimbledon Final, Clinches $2M

The American’s Wimbledon run will continue with her first major final.
Apr 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) defends Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) during the second half at United Center.
July 9, 2025

Why Are the NBA’s Biggest Restricted Free Agents Still Unsigned?

Draymond Green said the new CBA is responsible for ending free agency.
July 9, 2025

Jokić Declined a Contract Extension, but the Nuggets Shouldn’t Panic

Jokić still has three years remaining on his current contract.
Jul 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at PNC Park.
July 8, 2025

MLB ASG Missing Many Highly Paid Stars, Clearing Path for Youth

Many of MLB’s top earners are not part of the Midsummer Classic.