The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has written to change.org to demand the withdrawal of a petition against break-dancer Rachel Gunn, known as “Raygun,” who went viral with her Paris 2024 performance.
The petition, “Hold Raygun Rachel Gunn and Anna Mears Accountable for Unethical Conduct Olympic Selection,” had amassed 50,147 signatures as of 6 p.m. on Aug. 15.
Gunn’s performance at the Paris Olympics drew controversy and became a talking point due to her unconventional moves, and a lack of recognised break-dancing maneuvers.
The petition makes several claims against dancer Gunn, including that she set up her own governing body for breakdancing, that more talented Australian dancers had been overlooked, and that Gunn had been directly involved in denying funding to a group of dancers from the Northern Territory.
The petition also claimed Gunn won her self-organised qualifier, and that her husband and fellow break-dancer, Samuel Free, was part of the selection panel.
The AOC’s Response
AOC CEO Matt Carroll condemned the petition, claiming it contained “numerous falsehoods.”
“The AOC is particularly offended by the affront to our Chef de Mission, Anna Meares,” he said.
“The Australian Team Chef de Mission played no role in the qualification events nor the nomination of athletes to the AOC Selection Committee, of which the Chef and I are members,” he said in a statement.
competes during the B-Girls Round Robin - Group B on day 14 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Place de la Concorde in Paris, France on Aug. 9, 2024. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Carroll labelled the petition as bullying and harassment, and expressed concern that claims could be published online by an anonymous person.
The petition’s author is listed only as “someone who hates corruption.”
The AOC has made counterclaims to the points mentioned.
According to the organising committee, the Oceania event where Gunn qualified for the Olympics was conducted under the Olympic qualification system, and judges comprised an independent and international panel who travelled to Australia.
Athletes from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji competed.
The AOC says Gunn did not hold any position with AUSBreaking or DanceSport Australia, and was simply an athlete who competed and won.
The rebuttal also notes Gunn had no responsibility for funding decisions in the sport.
Her husband, Samuel Free, did not judge Gunn’s qualifying event and did not hold positions in AUSBreaking or DanceSport Australia.
Meares had no involvement in the selection process.
The AOC has also rebutted widespread claims that Gunn received federal funding, which she did not.
The AOC fully funded the Australian team’s Paris campaign, and no taxpayer funds were sought.
“No athlete who has represented their country at the Olympic Games should be treated in this way and we are supporting Dr Gunn and Anna Meares at this time,” he said.
