'It took great courage': Australia's Olympic chief defends 'Raygun' against online abuse

Key Points

Australia’s Chef de Mission Anna Meares criticised the online response to Gunn’s performance at the Olympics.
Gunn lost all three of her battles by a combined score of 54-0.
Meares likened the criticism to historic misogynistic abuse directed at female athletes.

Australia’s Chef de Mission Anna Meares has condemned critics of breakdancer Rachael Gunn, pointing out that she 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 breakdancing made its debut as an Olympic sport in Paris.

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

“I love Rachael,” Meares said.

“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,”

“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.” Meares said.

Gunn, a 36-year-old Australian university lecturer, .

After her performance during the breaking Olympic debut, ‘Raygun’ has been a target of online criticism. Source: EPA / Caroline Blumberg

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

“And it took great courage for her to continue on and fight for her opportunity to participate in a sport that she loved,”

“That got her to winning the Olympic qualifying event to be here in Paris,”

“She is the best breakdancer female that we have for Australia,” she said.

‘Raygun’ (right) made history along with Jeff Dunne aka ‘J-Attack’ (left) as Australia’s first Olympic breakers. Source: AAP / Dan Himbrechts

Meares likened the criticism to historic misogynistic abuse directed at female athletes as they fought for recognition in the sporting world.

“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’.

“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,” she said.

“Good on her”: Albanese

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also praised Gunn for “having a crack” at the Olympics breaking competition when asked about her performance by the press.

“In the Australian tradition of people having a go, she had a go representing our country, and that’s a good thing,” Albanese said.

He also highlighted the outstanding overall performance of the Australian athletes in Paris, noting that their success could inspire young people to set their sights on participating in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics as their ultimate goal.