Australia’s Rachel Gunn, known as Rae Gunn, competes in the women’s breaking dance round robin at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Place de la Concorde in Paris on August 9, 2024. Photo: AFP
Australian “Ray Gun” has apologised after his performance at the Paris Olympics was widely mocked and sparked backlash across the breakdancing world.
Rachel “Raegan” Gunn, whose routine featured moves imitating the hopping of a kangaroo, made the comments during an interview with Australia’s Channel 10 to be broadcast on Wednesday.
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In one part of the exchange, Ms Gunn was asked if she was the best female breakdancer in Australia.
Australian Olympic Committee slams B-girls for their criticism of Raygun
“I think my record speaks for itself,” the 37-year-old Sydney University lecturer said.
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Gunn lost all three matches against rival dancers and her performance was parodied around the world, including by US late-night TV host Jimmy Fallon.
Critics have questioned how she managed to qualify for the Olympics, with some harsh critics in her home country describing her as a national embarrassment.
It has since been deleted, but an online petition called for her to issue a public apology.
In an interview, Gunn said she was “really saddened” to hear the negative reactions to her performance.
“I am extremely sorry for the backlash the community has experienced, but I have no control over how people respond.”
READ: Breaking community defends breaking girl Raygun at Olympics
She added that it was “wild” that the press hounded her after her performance in Paris.
“But I really panicked,” she said.
Mr Gunn has previously spoken out against the “fairly devastating” hatred that has been unleashed after the Olympics.
“It was fun to compete. I took it seriously. I trained hard and gave it my all in preparation for the Olympics,” she said in a video message in August.
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While many on social media mocked her performance, Gunn’s move won support from fellow Australian Olympians and others, including the Australian Prime Minister.
Check out Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
