Paris Olympics 2024

Raygun’s Olympics Flop: The Scandal Behind The Breakdancer Accused Of Misconduct

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Athletes are back with their loved ones following the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympics, but no one received as much attention upon landing on home soil as Rachel Gunn, known as “Raygun.” The 36-year-old Australian breakdancer joined a handful of her peers to compete in the first-ever breakdancing competition at this year’s Olympics. It was a historic moment for the culture, emerging from the streets of New York City decades ago to an international stage. It was a sight for Olympic fans across the globe, but Raygun stole attention for all the wrong reasons—and now, she’s being blamed for breakdancing being cut from the Olympics lineup in Los Angeles.

On August 9, Gunn showed off her moves in the B-Girl match, and it didn’t take long for her to go viral. Viewers took to social media with clips and questions, especially after Gunn received no points and placed last. Soon, it wasn’t just commentators looking for an explanation on how Raygun made it to the Olympics; breakdancers and those immersed in the culture were also puzzled. Then, rumors and speculation of corruption and Raygun cheating her way into the Paris Olympics flooded the internet. This further thrust the university professor into infamy, but her country—and the Australian breaking organization AUSBreak—have come to her defense.

Read More: Olympic Breakdancer Responds To Backlash From Viral Performance

By her resumé alone, it is clear that Gunn has a passion for breakdancing. She not only received her doctorate in media, music, cultural studies, and communications at Macquarie University, but she is also a professor there. Raygun is well-published on the art and history of breaking and Hip Hop, but it was her husband and coach, Samuel Free, who introduced her to the scene. He, too, is a breakdancer, and the two are well known throughout their country’s niche yet growing breaking community.

Although Raygun is popular in her area, especially considering her background in breaking academia, she seemed to have known she was out of her league. She told reporters after her performance, “I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves,” per NBC News. Gunn also referenced certain moves that were highly criticized, including, at one point, her doing the Bunny Hop and the Sprinkler. Things were so bad that some accused her of purposefully trolling the Olympics with a poor performance. “I wanted to move differently, be artistic and creative, because how many chances do you get that in a lifetime to do that on an international stage.”

@yahooaustralia

#Raygun celebrated by fellow athletes at #Paris2024 #ClosingCeremony 💛💚 #parisolympics2024 #parisolympics #paris2024olympics #yahooaustralia

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Read More: Viral Breakdancer RayGun Faces “Unethical Conduct” Accusations In Massive Petition

Meanwhile, Gunn has continued to take considerable hits online and in the media. Her talents and skills have certainly been up for discussion, but the ridicule has also been significant. At the Olympics, fellow Olympians uplifted Gunn, rallying around her in laughter, fun, and support. They hyped up her routine, and she broke out a few moves for a crowd after being lifted through the mass gathering on someone’s shoulders as if she’d taken home the Gold. Despite the global pushback against her Paris Olympics performance, Gunn seems to be taking it all in stride publicly. Moreover, the World DanceSport Federation reportedly has offered mental health support.

Like any hot topic, viral moment, many expected Gunn’s Olympic snafu to fade into oblivion by the next major news cycle. However, her time in the spotlight was extended after misconduct allegations permeated social media. Videos sprung up on TikTok detailing alleged double dealings behind the scenes that allowed Gunn to take to the Olympics stage. It was purported that Raygun and her husband founded the Australian Breaking Association. The gossip accused the couple of making it financially difficult for other breakdancers to enter qualifying competitions in Australia, opening roads for Gunn and her friends to become judges and participants. It was highlighted that the dancers allegedly omitted from participating were from marginalized communities.

Read More: Olympic Breakdancing Gets Clowned Online For Some Really Bad Moves

After the rumors of corrupt dealings quickly traveled through online platforms, a Change.org petition to the Prime Minister of Australia was launched against Gunn. With almost 39,000 signatures at the time of this publication, the petition demanded an apology from the breakdancing professor, calling the process “unethical.” It stated, “Rachel Gunn, who set up her own governing body for breakdancing, has manipulated the selection process to her own advantage.”

It continued, “Despite the clear talent and qualification of other outstanding female breakdancers like G Clef and Holy Molly, they were unfairly overlooked. The NT Youlong Boys, a group of incredibly talented and underprivileged youth from the Northern Territory, were denied crucial funding by Dr. Gunn to attend the qualifiers—a decision that directly impacted their chance to showcase their skills on a national stage.”

LAustralia’s Rachael Gunn (L), known as Raygun gestures next to US’ Logan Edra, known as Logistx, during their battle as part of the Women’s Breaking dance Round robin of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at La Concorde in Paris, on August 9, 2024. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Read More: Dr Dre Blasts Olympics For Not Having Better Breakdancers In Competition

This news not only spread like wildfire but also introduced a new level of vitriol against Gunn. While Raygun hasn’t made an official statement regarding the accusations, AUSBreak denied any wrongdoing in the Olympics selection procedure. “We condemn the global online harassment and bullying of Raygun,” they shared in a statement. “The pressure to perform on the Olympic stage is immense, especially against the opponents in her particular group. We stand in solidarity with Raygun.”

They added that the qualification process lasted over two days and adhered to the “World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) regulations, which align with International Olympic Committee (IOC) standards, the process aimed to ensure a fair and transparent outcome.” AUSBreak further explained the vetting process. “The Oceania Olympic selection event (The QMS 2023 WDSF Oceania Breaking Championships) in October 2023 brought together the top Breakers, both Bgirls and Bboys. A panel of 9 international adjudicators, a head judge and a chairperson who oversaw the competition, using the same judging system at the Paris Games and trained to uphold the highest standards of impartiality. These judges are all highly respected in their respective communities and in the international Breaking scene.”

Read More: The Five Elements Of Hip Hop: Breaking Down Its Core Pillars

While Rachel Gunn has remained silent, she has been vindicated by officials. Moreover, her country, team, and fans stand with her. Australian Olympics chief Anna Meares said she loves Rachel and condemned the media for “giving air time” to the “trolls and keyboard warriors.” She added, “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… She is the best breakdancer female that we have for Australia.”

Meares seemingly also accused critics of being sexist. “Now you look at the history of what we have had as women athletes, have faced in terms of criticism, belittlement, judgement, and simple comments like ‘they shouldn’t be there,” she stated. “One-hundred years ago, leading into Paris 1924, Australia sent a team of 37 athletes – none were women. One-hundred years later, we have 256 women representing here.” However, the criticisms regarding Raygun intellectualizing Hip Hop and breaking culture without the fundamental ties to its origins and representing it at the Olympics continues to spark debates worldwide.

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Sha’Carri Richardson Graces “Vogue”: Paris 2024 Olympics, Beyoncé, & Never Giving Up

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“I’m not back, I’m better,” Sha’Carri Richardson said about her evolution over the past few years. If you remember, it was in 2021 when Richardson became a global, household name following her pre-Tokyo Olympics scandal. The now-24-year-old was a frontrunner—no pun intended—for the U.S. Track and field team; however, her dreams of taking home the Olympic Gold were deferred after she tested positive for THC. Although her talents were undeniable, the Olympic committee decided to suspend her for one month, taking away Richardson’s opportunity to face off against worldwide competitors.

It was later revealed that the track star had recently lost her biological mother, so she used marijuana during her grief. Regardless of the tragedy, the controversy became a talking point worldwide, leaving Richardson to be scrutinized, often unfairly, by millions. Her supporters have continued to rally around her over these years as Richardson has continued to push forward toward her next goal. Now, she’ll compete in the 100m at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Read More: Sha’Carri Richardson Sends A Message To Her Haters

“I don’t just mean I’m a better runner,” Richardson revealed to Vogue. “It’s beyond that. I’m better at being Sha’Carri. I’m better at being myself.”

With her eyes on the prize, those who knew Richardson prior to her days in the spotlight recall her potential as a young girl. Lauren Cross, Carter High School’s girl’s track coach, remembered people questioning how Sha’Carri was so fast on the field. “To be that good, that young, you realize as a coach that you’re dealing with someone exceptional,” Cross said. “A lot of times you have kids who have the speed, but not the drive to do the work it takes to be great. Sha’Carri was totally determined.”

Check out a few highlights from Sha’Carri Richardson’s Vogue feature, including her thoughts on Beyoncé, running through the pain, and making sure she enjoys the spotlight with her family by her side.

On Having Self Discipline

“Every time you step on the track, it’s a validation of the time you’ve put in, the sacrifices you make on the daily. When I get on the blocks, it’s about getting the job done. I know there’s joy at the other end, at the finish line. But I also know I’ve got to earn that happiness.”

“No matter what. Most people, they only think of track every four years. The Olympics, that’s all there is—those few seconds on TV. But for me, track is my life on a day-to-day basis. Everything I do—what I eat, what I drink, if I stay up too late—it’s all reflected on the track. Every choice. That’s what the world doesn’t see.”

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Track and field athlete Sha’Carri Richardson poses during the Team USA Paris 2024 Olympic Portrait Shoot at NBC Universal Studios Stage 16 on November 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

On Her Love For Beyoncé

“Do I like Beyoncé? Of course I like Beyoncé. And Cowboy Carter, I mean, I went to Carter High School, in Dallas, we were the Carter Cowboys, so it’s full circle, Beyoncé, she’s a Texas girl like me….”

On “Big Momma” Betty Harp, The Grandmother Who Raised Sha’Carri

Betty Harp: “Sha’Carri’s tough; I made her tough. I’m a strong woman, I’ve overcome obstacles in my life. So I knew what I was talking about when, from time to time, things got hard and she’d want to quit—and I’d say, ‘Don’t start nothing and don’t finish it. You start, you finish,‘… Whatever happens, you keep going, you hear?”

Sha’Carri: “Everything I am, it’s because of that strong, wise Black woman. Everything. I mean, I’ve been blessed, because I’ve had other people in my life who have helped me along. But the foundation, that’s her.”

EUGENE, OREGON – JUNE 19: Sha’Carri Richardson celebrates winning the Women’s 100 Meter final with grandmother Betty Harp on day 2 of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 19, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

On Her Family Being With Her During Her Vogue Photoshoot

And occasionally, there’s the all-out exuberance of days like her Vogue shoot, an experience especially treasured, Richardson says, because she got to share it with her family. “Looking over and seeing the smiles on their faces, knowing we’re creating a memory together…that’s validation for me,” she says. It’s through the eyes of her adored younger cousins that she takes the measure of her own success. “Like, they can see, okay, we come from a certain place, but applying yourself, believing in yourself, staying grounded in yourself, it will take you so far.”

On Preparing For The Paris Olympics 2024

“It’s like chess. Every move you make is leading to checkmate. So the Olympics, okay, that’s checkmate, that’s the moment an athlete dreams about. But every race I have leading up to that matters too—that’s my opportunity to grow, so by the time I’m on the track in Paris, I know I’ve done my trial and error.” … “[I have to stay present] Because if all I’m doing is looking ahead, then I can’t be where I need to be. Which is here, now.”

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