Olympics 2024: Australian Exec Defends Breaker Raygun Amid Online Trolling

Rachael "Raygun" Gunn was a breaker of social media when she competed in the 2024 Olympics.

The breakdancer, an Australian university lecturer with a Ph.D. in cultural studies, was the target of hateful comments from internet trolls after her viral performance during the sport's Olympic debut Aug. 9, during which she lost all three of her B-Girl round-robin battles. And Australia's Olympic chief was not having it.

"I love Rachael," Chef de mission Anna Meares said about the 36-year-old at a press conference Aug. 10, per Reuters. "and I think that what has occurred on social media with trolls and keyboard warriors, and taking those comments and giving them airtime, has been really disappointing."

The executive continued, "Raygun is an absolutely loved member of this Olympic team. She has represented the Olympic team, the Olympic spirit with great enthusiasm. And I absolutely love her courage. I love her character, and I feel very disappointed for her, that she has come under the attack that she has."

On social media, viewers had mocked Gunn's unconventional breakdancing moves, which included one dubbed "the kangaroo." She later brushed off the comments.

"Don’t be afraid to be different, go out there and represent yourself," she wrote on Instagram. "You never know where that’s gonna take you."

The Sydney-based Macquarie University lecturer also noted that she "was always the underdog" in the competition—which was won by Japan's Ami Yuasa, or B-Girl Ami—and reflected on her unique style.

"All my moves are original,” Gunn told reporters after her performance, per News.com.au. “I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves."

She continued, "So I wanted to move differently, be artistic and creative because how many chances do you get in a lifetime to do that on an international stage?"

And speaking of style, Trolls also ridiculed Gunn's outfit, a green and yellow Australian Olympic tracksuit and matching cap. The Olympian responded to her fashion critics, writing on her Instagram Stories, "Looking forward to the same level of scrutiny on what the bboys wear tomorrow."

Meares noted the history of misogyny that has been directed at female athletes for the past century.

Team USA's Tara Davis-Woodhall embraces her husband and Paralympic athlete Hunter Woodhall after winning the women's long jump final. 

Joan Antoni Moreno and Diego Dominguez of Team Spain yell in celebration after the men's canoe double 500m final. 

Spain's Maria Perez and Alvaro Martin pop champagne to celebrate their gold medals. 

Kelland O'Brien of Team Australia is emotional after his team, also including Sam Welsford, Conor Leahy and Oliver Bleddyn, won gold. The Austalian cyclists set a new world record with 3:40.730. 

TEAM USA's Gabby Thomas snaps a selfie with her partner Spencer McManes after winning gold in the women's 200m final. 

Cole Hocker of Team USA celebrates after winning the gold for the men's 1500m. Hocker won by .14 seconds. 

Swedish athlete Armand Duplantis celebrates after setting a new world record in the men's pole vault. 

An Se-young of Korea celebrates after defeating He Bingjiao of China 2-0 in their match. 

Johanne Defay hugs Simon Paillard, her husband and coach, after winning bronze for France. 

Simone Biles hugs an emotional Jordan Chiles after winning bronze for the women's floor routine final, marking Chiles' first individual Olympic medal. 

Britain's Bryony Page is ecsatic after winning gold for the women's trampoline final in gymnastics. 

Team Czechia's Michal Cupr, Jiri Beran, Jakub Jurka, Martin Rubes celebrate after defeating France for the men's bronze medal. 

USA gymnast Simone Biles beams after winning gold in the women's all-around final, sporting her "GOAT" necklace.

Great Britain's Andy Murray—who announced his retirement before the Paris Games—tearfully bids farewell to the crowd after being eliminated alongside Dan Evans in the men's doubles.

Tomokazu Harimoto of Team Japan lets off some steam during his match against China's Fan Zhendong.

Men's 200m backstroke silver medalist Apostolos Christou of Greece gets emotional while standing on the podium.

Spanish tennis Carlos Alcaraz lets out a victorious scream after defeating Tommy Paul of Team USA in men's single.

Great Britain's bronze medalists Andrea Spendolini Sirieix and Lois Toulson share a raw moment after the women's synchronized 10m platform diving final.

Korbin Albert gets emotional after scoring a goal in the women's soccer game.

Team Sweden's Sarah Sjoestroem celebrates her gold medal in the Women's 100m Freestyle Final.

Team USA's Katie Ledecky reacts to winning gold in the Women's 1500m Freestyle Final.

French swimmer Anastasiia Kirpichnikova cries tears of joy after seeing her silver medal-winning time in women's 1500m freestyle event.

Serbia's Nemanja Majdov (L) and Greece's Theodoros Tselidis (R) share a moment after their round in the men's 90kg round of 16 in judo. Tselildis, who beat Majdov, later won the bronze medal. 

Manon Apithy-Brunet (L) kisses her husband France's Bolade Apithy after his team beat Egypt. 

Gold medalist Alex Yee of Team Great Britain and silver medalist Hayden Wilde of Team New Zealand share a subtle celebratory moment after crossing the finish line. 

Team New Zealand leaps for joy after beating Canada in the Women's Rugby Sevens Gold medal match. 

Agustina Gorzelany of Team Argentina celebrates her team's first goal in a match against Spain. Argentina ended up winning the match 2-1. 

Team Guatemala's Adriana Ruano Oliva gets emotional after realizing she's won the gold medal—her country's very first—in the shooting trap women's final. 

Andy Murray and Dan Evans of Great Britain embrace in celebration after besting Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen of Team Belgium in Men's Doubles second round match. 

Great Britain's Tom Dean celebrates, along with fellow teammates, after his win in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay.