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Australian breakdancer Rachael "Raygun" Gunn has hit back at critics who mocked her viral performance and outfit at the 2024 Paris Olympics, challenging them to scrutinize the attire of her male counterparts with the same intensity.
The 36-year-old Olympian, who lost all three of her group matches in the inaugural breaking tournament against the US, , and Lithuania, found herself at the center of an unexpected fashion controversy.
Gunn's green and yellow Australian Olympic tracksuit, paired with a hat, became a target for online ridicule, with many comparing her look unfavorably to the casual streetwear sported by her opponents.
"Looking forward to the same level of scrutiny on what the b-boys wear tomorrow," Gunn clapped back on Instagram, standing firm against the wave of criticism.
The International Olympic Committee had allowed competitors to wear custom uniforms, which were submitted for review prior to the competition. Despite this, Gunn's outfit drew comparisons to fast-food uniforms and courier company attire on social media.
The mean spirited criticism
"Australia did B-Girl Raygun dirty with this ugly as sin outfit. Looking like she's gonna ask if I want fries with that," one on X joked. Another added, "Meanwhile, Japanese Twitter is roasting Raygun because her outfit looks like the uniform of a Japanese courier company, yet she lost to Logistix."
Despite not receiving a single vote from the nine judges and losing each match 18-0, Raygun remained defiant, defending her creative approach and unique style. "Don't be afraid to be different, go out there and represent yourself, you never know where that's going to take you," she said in a post-performance interview.
Gunn's Olympic journey may not have been about winning, but it was certainly about making a statement. "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?" she explained.
It could be the hello and goodbye for Olympic breakdancing
When the b-boys take to the stage on Saturday, Gunn's challenge to her critics hangs in the air: Will their outfits face the same harsh judgment?
Although breakdancing made its Olympic debut in Paris, it won't return for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and its inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane games remains uncertain. "It was a miracle that we were even in Paris to begin with," said Zack Slusser, vice president of Breaking for Gold USA and USA Dance.
Gunn, who is also a lecturer at Macquarie University in Sydney with a PhD in Cultural Studies, continues to inspire with her unorthodox approach, both on and off the stage.