Australia’s Olympic chief has slammed critics of breakdancer Rachael Gunn as typical of misogynistic abuse that female athletes have historically had to endure.

Chef de mission Anna Meares said Gunn should be applauded for her courage, rather than pilloried for her performance at the Paris Games. 

Gunn, known as Raygun, failed to score a point when breaking made its debut as an Olympic sport in Paris on Friday.

Gunn has since been a target of criticism for not only her performance but her appearance, online and in some mainstream media.

“I love Rachael,” Meares told reporters.

“What has occurred on social media with trolls and keyboard warriors, and taking those comments and giving them air time, has been really disappointing.

“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.”

Gunn, a 36-year-old Australian university lecturer, lost all three of her round-robin battles by a combined score of 54-0.

“In 2008, she was locked in a room crying, being involved in a male-dominated sport as the only woman,” Meares said.