Rachael Gunn, the widely scrutinized Olympic breakdancing finalist better known as Raygun, has issued a statement days after her routine went viral and became heavily mocked.
In a video on Instagram Thursday, the 36-year-old Australian college professor said the “hate” she’s received since her performance at the Paris Games has been “devastating.”
“I just want to start by thanking all the people who have supported me. I really appreciate the positivity, and I’m glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives. That’s what I hoped,” she began. “I didn’t realize that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has frankly been pretty devastating.”
During the weekend finals, Gunn, who has a Ph.D. in cultural studies, lost by a score of 54-0, not earning any points for her county.
Her unique and unconventionally simplistic routine, which included one move dubbed “the kangaroo,” quickly became fodder for memes and jokes both online and off. Late night talk shows were bereft of chill when discussing Gunn earlier this week.
“SNL” alum Rachel Dratch interrupted Jimmy Fallon‘s monologue on Monday night — dressed up as the Aussie breakdancer and simulating her audacious dance moves.
Over on Comedy Central, Michael Kosta called her “the Australian breakdancing Jamaica bobsled team of the French Olympics,” adding that “she was so bad with so much confidence.”
Gunn even became the subject of a Change.org petition accusing her of manipulating the Olympic selection process to her “own advantage,” which reportedly garnered more than 50,000 signatures before being removed for violating community guidelines.
“I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics,” she said in her video. “I gave my all, truly.”
Announcing plans to enjoy some previously scheduled downtime in Europe following the Olympics, she requested privacy.
“I’d really like to ask the press to please stop harassing my family, my friends, the Australian breaking community and the broader street dance community,” Gunn said. “Everyone has been through a lot as a result of this, so I ask you to please respect their privacy.”
