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When you think of the Olympics, you probably imagine athletes pushing the limits of human capability in sports like swimming, gymnastics, or track and field. But in 2024, the world witnessed a different kind of athleticism: breakdancing. And at the centre of this new Olympic sport was Australia’s very own Rachael Gunn, better known by her breaking name, Raygun. What followed was a whirlwind of controversy, memes, and heated debates, ultimately leaving the global breaking community divided.

The Rise of Raygun

Raygun’s journey to the Olympics was nothing but conventional. Originally a dancer in jazz, tap, and ballroom, it was her husband and coach, Samuel Free (Known in the breaking world as Sammy the Free), who introduced her to the world of breaking when she was 20. Despite the male-dominated scene and initial struggles, Raygun eventually became a top-ranked B-girl in Australia and an academic, with a PhD in the cultural politics of the sport. Her qualification for the Olympics was a proud moment for many, but it also set the stage for what would become a highly controversial performance.

The Olympic Performance

Raygun’s performance at the Paris Olympics was memorable, but not for the reasons she might have hoped. Her routine, which included moves like the “sprinkler” and “kangaroo hop”, left audiences and judges perplexed. She lost all three of her round-robin battles by a combined score of 54-0, and the internet quickly flooded with memes mocking her performance. The backlash was swift and brutal, with many questioning how she even qualified for the Olympics in the first place.

Public Outcry and Support

The controversy didn’t end with her performance. Social media was ablaze with accusations that Raygun had rigged the competition to qualify for the Olympics. A petition demanding a public apology and an investigation into her qualification process garnered over 57,000 signatures. Critics accused Samuel Free of using his influence to secure Raygun’s spot in the Olympics. Allegations surfaced that he and Raygun were the founders of the Australian Breaking Association and manipulated the selection process to ensure her qualification. Some even claimed that they hosted a fake competition with only a handful of participants, giving Raygun an easy win and a ticket to the Olympics.

However, not everyone was against Raygun. Many in the breaking community rushed to her defence, arguing that the global bullying she faced was unfair and undermined any attempt to analyse her performance fairly. “It made a mockery of the Australian scene, and I think that’s why a lot of us are hurting,” said Australian hip-hop pioneer Spice.

A Divided Community

The fallout from Raygun’s Olympic debut has left the Australian breaking community deeply divided. Some believe that her performance and the subsequent backlash have pushed the scene “into the Dark Ages”. Others see it as an opportunity to address the issues within the sport and ensure that future competitions are fair and transparent.

Raygun herself has spoken out about the backlash she has received, describing it as “pretty devastating”. Despite the criticism, she remains proud of her journey and the hard work she put into preparing for the Olympics. “I went out there and I had fun. I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics, and I gave my all, truly,” she said.

Conclusion

The Raygun Olympics controversy is a complex and multifaceted issue that has sparked intense debate on a global scale. It highlights the challenges of integrating new sports into the Olympic Games and the pressures athletes face on the world stage. Whether you see Raygun as a trailblazer or have reservations about her credibility, there’s no denying that her story has left a lasting impact on the world of breakdancing.

So, what do you think? Was Raygun’s performance a bold artistic statement or a misstep that deserved the backlash it received?