By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
Rachael Gunn, also known by her stage name "Raygun," is facing harsh criticism from a senior Australian sports official for her performance in the Olympic breakdancing competition, calling it "disrespectful." The official suggested that the Australian public is not in support of her actions.
Despite this, Kinsey Schofield, host of the "To Di For" podcast, has praised Gunn, describing her as an "international treasure" and expressing admiration for her breakdancing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Schofield stated in an interview with Sky News host Danica De Giorgio that she enjoyed Gunn's performance, which she watched with her brother. She acknowledged the criticism but emphasized that Gunn is creating a conversation and staying true to herself.
Dr. Rachael Gunn, a cultural studies academic at Macquarie University, has been accused of deliberately aiming for zero points in her Olympic performances, a move that has been deemed "disrespectful" to fellow Australian athletes by a prominent sports official. However, there are growing calls for people to stop criticizing Gunn despite her poor results in Paris. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed support for Gunn, highlighting the Australian tradition of giving it a go and representing the country.
Gunn made history by representing Australia in the breakdancing category at the Paris Olympics, competing against B girls from the USA, France, and Lithuania. She lost all three round robin battles with scores of 18 0 against each of her competitors. Her unique breaking style has garnered significant attention on social media. However, some fans mocked Gunn's choice of attire a traditional Australian Olympic tracksuit contrasting it with the streetwear typically worn by her competitors. While initially met with bafflement and criticism, opinions have softened over time, with even the breakdancing judges indicating that her lack of points does not reflect her abilities.
Professor Megan Davis, a fellow academic and a leading figure in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which advocated for the Voice to parliament, has criticized Gunn, accusing her of pursuing subsidized academic study through her participation in the Olympics. Davis, who serves as a pro vice-chancellor at the University of New South Wales and as a commissioner on the Australian Rugby League Commission, stated on social media that Gunn's actions were not amusing or indicative of "having a go." Davis described Gunn's behavior as disrespectful to other competitors and expressed her belief that most Australians do not support Gunn's approach.
Davis further criticized the mainstream media for portraying Gunn as a carefree, fun loving Australian. She described Gunn's life as affluent and comfortable, insinuating that she had little regard for the consequences of her actions. Contrary to the allegations, reports suggest that Gunn's only public funding was for her travel to the Olympic stage, with no financial support provided for academic purposes. Neither the Australian Sports Commission nor Macquarie University funded Gunn's trip to Paris; instead, the Australian Olympic Committee covered her travel expenses. In 2022, the City of Sydney Council awarded Gunn a grant of $20,278 for research on "Spaces for Street Dance."
In response to the criticism, breaking head judge Martin Gilian, known as "MGbility," defended Gunn, emphasizing that her score did not reflect poor performance. He stated that the breaking community supports her and highlighted that breaking is about originality and cultural representation, which Gunn achieved by drawing inspiration from her surroundings, such as incorporating a kangaroo move into her routine.
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