Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun, has finally spoken out after the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Raygun’s breakdancing routine went viral after she received zero points in all three rounds she competed in. The video of her performance spread quickly, making her famous for the wrong reasons. There’s even an online petition demanding that Gunn apologize for her performance.
Until now, Raygun hadn’t said anything about what happened, but she recently addressed the situation on Instagram. In a two-and-a-half-minute video, she shared that she was “devastated by the hate” she received.
In her video, Gunn thanked the people who supported her during the Paris Games, but also talked honestly about the online abuse she’s faced. She said she didn’t expect that the “joy she brought” to people would also lead to people making fun of her routine.
According to ESPN, over 40,000 people have signed a petition accusing Gunn of “manipulating” the Olympic qualification process.
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 09: B-Girl Raygun of Team Australia competes during the B-Girls Round Robin – Group B on day fourteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Place de la Concorde on August 09, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
In her Instagram video, Raygun thanked everyone who supported her, saying, “I really appreciate the positivity, and I’m glad I could bring some joy into your lives. That’s what I hoped for.”
However, she admitted that she didn’t expect the hate that followed. “I didn’t realize that would also open the door to so much hate, which has been pretty devastating. But I went out there and had fun,” she said.
Raygun also responded to questions about her commitment, making it clear that she worked hard to prepare for the Olympics. “I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics, and I gave it my all. I’m honored to have been part of the Australian team and Australia’s breaking debut. What the other athletes achieved is phenomenal,” she said.
The 36-year-old also addressed false information that’s been spreading online since her performance in Paris. One rumor claimed that she only made the Australian Olympic team because her husband was a national selector and a judge at a qualifying event. This rumor has been proven to be completely false.
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) condemned the online petition against her, with AOC boss Matt Carroll writing to the petition’s website to demand its immediate removal.
What did you think of Rachael Gunn’s breakdancing routine? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Barbra Streisand Defends District Attorney Fani Willis: “A Woman Can Have a Private Life”
Conservative critics have been criticizing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, and Barbra Streisand has lately come out in favor of her. Streisand is adamant that the critiques of Willis are an unjustified attempt to damage her reputation by intruding into her private affairs.
Streisand outlined in a post on X how Willis is being unfairly scrutinized for her personal connection to Nathan Wade, a deputy attorney she employed to look into the Georgia 2020 election results. Streisand emphasized the unfair disparities that exist, posing the question of why it is acceptable for males to lead private lives yet women are subjected to harsh criticism for doing the same.
“How absurd it is for the Republicans to want to fire Fani Willis. For what purpose? Believing that a woman cannot lead a private life in addition to a career? Men engage in it frequently! How absurd is this situation? Streisand said.
Not content to stop there, Streisand also used the occasion to attack former President Trump and his allies. She emphasized that the attacks on Willis are a ploy to divert attention away from the most important details of the case, which include Trump’s purported attempt to exert pressure on the Secretary of State to rig the vote tallies in his favor and submit fictitious electors to Congress.
This ongoing dispute highlights the larger discussion of how personal and professional lives overlap, particularly when it comes to high-stakes legal and political disputes. It raises important concerns about gender equality and the particular demands made on women in leadership roles.
Barbra Streisand’s support of Fani Willis highlights the particular difficulties women have in juggling their personal and professional obligations. It serves as a heartbreaking reminder that women’s decisions to retain a private life in addition to their work obligations should not be scrutinized or judged.
In conclusion, Streisand’s remarks highlight the significance of treating all people fairly in the workplace, regardless of gender. Like men, women should be allowed to lead their lives without being subjected to unwarranted criticism. It’s a request that everyone acknowledge and deal with these prejudices in order to establish a more equal and encouraging work environment for everyone.
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