Olympic spectators come down hard on Australian breakdancer
Don't be so quick to judge... What looks less than impressive to some is an opportunity of expression that not everyone gets to experience in a lifetime.
People had mixed emotions this year at the Paris Olympics. Some favoured introducing breakdancing to the most prized sporting event ever, while others were not fan-girling.
In saying that, it was sad to see Courtnaé Paul, a Durban B-Girl, disappointed when she did not make it to the Olympics this year.
The performance from Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, aka Raygun, rubbed many spectators up the wrong way.
People began questioning how Raygun made it to the Olympics, as they found her moves less than inventive or worthy of the Olympics.
Watch one of the videos from social media - courtesy of TikTok.
@becvilikas its the ending for me #breakdancing #olympics2024 #olympics #australia #raygun ♬ original sound - UnknoWn_
As many people ridiculed her style of dancing and what she was wearing, Raygun hit back with a positive outlook. After going viral on social media, she posted the following on Instagram: "Don’t be afraid to be different. Go out there and represent yourself. You never know where that’s gonna take you.”
Rachael Gunn isn't just a 36-year-old breakdancer; she is also a university lecturer with a PhD and lectures on dance and gender politics at Macquarie University.
Gunn lost by an aggregate score of 54-0 on Friday and said: "I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves, so I wanted to move differently, be artistic and creative because how many chances do you get in a lifetime to do that on an international stage? I was always the underdog and wanted to make my mark in a different way." (BBC)
Despite the social media lashing she has received, she has also inspired many people who shared their love for her online. They loved her courage and bravery, and many Australians came to social media to defend their shining breakdancing star.
Marion James, an American athlete and former Olympian who won several gold medals at the 2000 Olympics, shared her opinion about the introduction of breakdancing into the Olympics and her less-than-impressed outlook on Gunn's performance.
Courtesy of Instagram.
Jason Pu, a contributor with Forbes, made a valid point when it comes to the 'worthiness' of Rachael Gunn's presence as an Olympic breaker.
"The beauty of breaking lies in its freedom of self-expression. Among all the Olympic sports, breaking has the most opportunity for creativity. In the IOC’s own words, 'the Olympic Games are the world’s most powerful symbol of unity in all our diversity.' The Olympics include diverse participants from almost every part of the world, which naturally leads to situations where certain athletes are outclassed by others. No country excels in every single sport, and in breaking’s case, Australia is simply not as competitive." (Forbes)
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