MELBOURNE:

In a shocking development, renowned Australian breaker Rachael "Raygun" Gunn has announced that she will no longer compete in breakdancing, following intense backlash over her performance during the Paris Olympics. Fans will now miss out on her iconic kangaroo bounce on the competitive stage.

Gunn, who has been a university lecturer alongside her dancing career, found herself thrust into the spotlight after a tough showing at the Olympic Games. Competing at the picturesque Place de la Concorde, she suffered a disappointing defeat in all three of her round-robin battles, finishing with a staggering scoreline of 54-0. This unprecedented outcome triggered a wave of mockery across social media and mainstream media alike, with critiques ranging from her unique moves to her distinctive green team uniform.

In an emotional interview on Sydney's 2DayFM, the 37-year-old stated, "I'm not going to compete anymore, no. I was going to keep competing, for sure, but honestly, it feels too daunting for me to approach a battle again." She shared that while she remains passionate about breaking and continues to dance at home with her partner, the negative attention has taken a toll on her spirit. "It's been really upsetting. I just didn’t have any control over how people saw me or who I was," she lamented.

Interestingly, the International Olympic Committee has already announced that breaking will be excluded from the Olympics program for the upcoming 2028 Games in Los Angeles. When asked if she would consider returning to competition if breaking were reinstated, Gunn responded firmly: "No, I would not."

The controversy has been compounded by the emergence of an online petition that accused Gunn of manipulating the qualification process to secure her spot in Paris, which garnered over 50,000 signatures before being taken down at the request of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). In addition, the AOC has strongly denied any claims that Gunn's husband, Samuel Free, who also serves as her coach, played a role in her selection, calling the allegations unfounded.

Gunn expressed disbelief over the "wild conspiracy theories" surrounding her situation but remains focused on the positive feedback she has received from fans. "I've been inspired by the people who reached out and said that I inspired them to pursue their own dreams, something they may have been too shy to do before. They’ve brought me joy and laughter, which I truly cherish."

The breaking community responds with mixed emotions, mourning the loss of a prominent figure while grappling with the controversy that has overshadowed her achievements. Will the scandal fade away, or will it linger in the minds of fans and athletes alike? Stay tuned as the story continues to develop!