In brief
After facing social media scrutiny and ridicule, Gunn decides to prioritize her joy in dancing over competitive pressure.
Rachael Gunn, famed as B-girl Raygun, has announced her retirement from competitive breaking, following a wave of controversy ignited by her Olympic performance. At the Paris Olympics in August, the 37-year-old university lecturer did not score in any of her three rounds, showcasing unconventional moves like the 'sprinkler' and a 'kangaroo hop', which drew both global attention and criticism.Despite an initial desire to continue competing, Gunn revealed the relentless negativity that followed her performance was upsetting enough to alter her plans. Speaking to local radio, she expressed feelings of losing control over her public image: "I was going to keep competing, for sure, but that seems really difficult for me to do now," she said.Her Olympic journey not only triggered a wave of brutal comments and even an anonymous petition demanding an apology but also ignited discussions within the breaking community about the sport's legitimacy in the Olympics. Olympic officials defended her passionately, yet opinions remain divided.This experience has taken the joy out of breaking for Gunn, as she still enjoys dancing in her private space: "Dancing should feel good. I don’t think people should feel crap about how they dance," she emphasized, mentioning she still continues to practice, albeit away from the competitive spotlight.
