Australia's Raygun says Olympic backlash 'devastating' / Photo: Odd ANDERSEN - AFP
-
Major earthquake rocks Panama, triggers tsunami warning
-
Brewers aim to take down two-time defending champion Dodgers in NLCS rematch
-
Indian jailed in France for leading sadist Nazi cult that tortured girls
-
Tsunami alert after major earthquake rocks Panama
-
'Iron Mike' Ditka hailed as 'gold standard' NFL legend
-
Outer bands of Hurricane Isaias lash US Gulf Coast
-
Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv airport: UAE prosecutor
-
Hope, Rutherford fire West Indies to record T20 chase of 250
-
Mike Ditka: Chicago Bears icon as player and coach
-
Farhan leads Pakistan to T20 win over Sri Lanka
-
Outrage over plan to livestream US military firing squad execution
-
Turkey sack coach Montella after Nations League woe
-
US sanctions: a 'test of resilience' for ICC
-
US announces sanctions on ICC, hours after Nobel award to former judge
-
NFL legend Mike Ditka dead at 86
-
Montenegro expels popular Russian war blogger wanted by US
-
Hurricane Isaias set to strike Gulf Coast late Friday
-
Rubio calls on all Venezuela opposition figures to join talks with govt
-
Trump forms panel to probe US Fed governor Lisa Cook
-
Australia struggle against South Africa quicks in first Test
-
Clashes in Durban as fresh anti-migrant riots erupt in South Africa
-
Stocks advance as Trump rules out pre-vote Iran attack
-
France students plan more protests, UN 'concerned' over violence
-
Australia struggle against South Africa's fast bowlers
-
De Zerbi calls on struggling Spurs to react in Man Utd clash
-
Massive debt puts France in a bind as investor doubts deepen
-
US sanctions on ICC: a 'test of resilience'
-
Arteta urges 'respect' for process after Man City financial verdict
-
Outrage over US military plan to livestream firing squad execution
-
'Human-authored' book labels gain ground amid AI scandals
-
Argentina snap up defence guru Edwards ahead of World Cup
-
Man City whistleblower Pinto to stay under police protection
-
BMW pulls car lease offer from German far-right politician
-
US leads fresh Ukraine peace push with Miami talks
-
Brazil election offers Jair Bolsonaro a shot at revenge
-
Verstappen continues resurgence with pole for Singapore sprint
-
Man Utd boss Carrick 'personally' affected by Man City verdict
-
Cuban ration book, symbol of the revolution, gathers dust
-
Evolution Metals & Technologies Corp. Raises Fiscal 2026 Revenue Guidance 62% at Midpoint to $10–$11 Million and Reaffirms $400–$460 Million Fiscal 2027 Outlook
-
Stocks advance, oil retreats as Trump rules out pre-vote Iran attack
-
Red Bull's Verstappen takes pole position for Singapore GP sprint race
-
Man City case causing 'uncertainty' for whole Premier League, says Iraola
-
Chelsea star Palmer 'committed' to England insists Alonso
-
Talks with Iran can only succeed without threats, president says
-
OpenAI denies firing researchers over AI safety warnings
-
Home hope Zheng sets up Mertens clash in China Open semis
-
Turkey warns opposition, press over investment fund crisis
-
Lombardia promises gripping end to season in Pogacar absence
-
Hurricane Isaias now major storm as it heads to US Gulf Coast
-
Barca skipper Raphinha out against Getafe and Galatasaray
Australia's Raygun says Olympic backlash 'devastating'
Australian breakdancer Raygun has spoken out against the "pretty devastating" hatred unleashed online since her widely lampooned Paris Olympics performance.
Rachael "Raygun" Gunn, a 36-year-old Sydney university lecturer, has been ridiculed by some and cheered by others for her unique performance in Paris, where she won none of her three face-offs against other B-Girls.
Gunn thanked her supporters and said she was glad to bring them some joy, in a video from a Brussels street posted on her Instagram account on Thursday.
"I didn't realise that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has frankly been pretty devastating," she said.
"Well, I went out there and I had fun. I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics and I gave my all. Truly."
Gunn's kangaroo-mimicking moves and Australia-logoed tracksuit have been parodied worldwide, including by late-night US television host Jimmy Fallon.
She has faced much stronger criticism and ridicule online.
The Australian Olympic Committee has decried a "misleading and bullying" online petition that described Gunn's performance as "unethical" and questioned how she was chosen for Paris.
"In regards to the allegations and misinformation floating around, I'd like to ask everyone to please refer to the recent statement made by the AOC," Gunn said in her video.
The poll on Change.org, which garnered tens of thousands of signatures demanding a public apology from the dancer, was unavailable on the platform on Friday.
Gunn said she planned to remain in Europe for a few weeks for some "pre-planned downtime".
In the meantime, she asked the media to "stop harassing" her family, friends and the breakdancing community.
"Everyone has been through a lot as a result of this so I ask you to please respect their privacy," she said, promising to answer more questions on her return to Australia.
Gunn's Olympic moves won support from many people, including her fellow Australian Olympians. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised her this week for "having a go".
Breaking will not be on the programme for the next Olympics in Los Angeles in four years.
D.Cunningha--AMWN
