:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/raygun-tout-081524-bc442d13f4d64855aa3a109086061db5.jpg "Raygun, Breaking Olympian, says online hate has been ‘devastating’")
Raygun speaks out after receiving hate online.
Following false allegations that the Olympic breakdancer, whose full name is Rachael Gunn, rigged the selection process for the 2024 Paris Olympics by selecting herself to represent Australia, Raygun, 36, released a statement on her Instagram page on Thursday, August 15, to speak out against the hate directed at her.
“Hi everyone, this is Raygun. First of all, I want to thank all the people who have supported me,” she said. “I really appreciate the positivity and I’m glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives. That’s what I hoped.”
“I didn’t realize that it would also open the door to so much hate, which was honestly pretty devastating,” she continued. “I went out and had fun, but I took it very seriously.”
Raygun, who made waves during her breakdancing competition on August 9, added: “I’ve worked my ass off preparing for the Olympics and really given it my all. I’m honoured to have been part of the Australian Olympic team and to be part of breakdancing’s Olympic debut.”
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The competitive breakdancer went on to say that “everyone” should pay attention to the statements made by the AOC (Australian Olympic Committee), “as well as the posts on the Breaking Instagram page” and the WDSF “Breaking for Gold” page.
On Tuesday, Australian breaking news organization AUSBreak rejected allegations that Raygun had manipulated the Olympic selection process, adding that it stood with her in “solidarity.”
In a statement, the organization confirmed that the selection process for the Games complied with the “regulations of the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), which are consistent with the standards of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)” to “ensure a fair and transparent outcome.”
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After Reddit users claimed that Raygun and her husband and trainer Samuel Free were founders of the Australian Breaking Association and involved in the selection process, the Australian news portal Sydney Morning Herald confirmed that Lowe Napalan, another Australian breakdancing champion, was the founder.
In her video statement, Raygun said she would be in Europe “for a few weeks” due to a pre-planned break.
“But I would really ask the press to please stop harassing my family, my friends, the Australian breaking community and the wider street dance community,” she added. “Everyone has been through a lot because of this so I ask that you please respect their privacy. I am happy to answer any further questions upon my return to Australia, thank you all.”
