Controversial Paris Games B-Girl Receives Criticism, Australian Olympic Committee Responds

The sport of breaking made its Olympic debut last weekend, and one of the standout performances came from Australian b-girl Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun. However, her routine, which included a controversial “kangaroo dance” and other questionable moves, resulted in her receiving zero points and facing heavy criticism.

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has now come forward to defend Gunn against an anonymous online petition that attacked her. The AOC described the petition as “vexatious, misleading, and bullying.” They have demanded that the petition be immediately withdrawn, as it contained numerous falsehoods and was designed to incite hatred towards Gunn.

The petition, published on change.org, claimed that Gunn had manipulated the Olympic qualification processes. Surprisingly, over 40,000 people have signed it. However, the AOC has reiterated that Gunn was selected for the Australian Olympic team through a transparent and independent qualification event and nomination process. Chief executive officer Matt Carroll condemned the petition, stating that it amounted to bullying, harassment, and defamation. He emphasized that no athlete who has represented their country at the Olympic Games should be treated in such a manner.

There have also been online criticisms suggesting that the Oceania qualifying event held in Sydney last October was biased in favor of Gunn. However, the AOC clarified that the event was conducted under the Olympic qualification system determined by the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) and approved by the International Olympic Committee. The judging panel consisted of nine independent international judges selected by the WDSF.

Addressing another allegation, the AOC confirmed that Rachael Gunn and her husband, Samuel Free, do not hold any positions within Australian breaking organizations. Gunn is simply an athlete who competed and won in the qualifying event.

Despite the controversies surrounding breaking’s Olympic debut, it is unlikely to be included in the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 or the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, Australia. Breaking’s appearance in Paris may be a one-time occurrence.

In conclusion, while Rachael Gunn faced heavy criticism for her performance in the Olympic Games, the Australian Olympic Committee has strongly defended her against an anonymous online petition. They have refuted the false claims made in the petition and demanded its immediate removal. The AOC has also clarified that the qualification process was transparent and independent, and that Gunn and her husband hold no positions within Australian breaking organizations.