A petition calling for an investigation into Rachel Gunn’s selection for the 2024 Paris Olympics has gained traction in Australia, raising allegations of manipulation and conflict of interest.
Story Summary:
- The petition accuses Gunn of manipulating the selection process for Australia’s female breakdancer representative.
- It claims other qualified dancers were unfairly overlooked, and Gunn’s own governing body played a role.
- The petition demands a full investigation, public apology, and accountability from those involved.
Petition levels serious claims against Rachel Gunn
The petition, which has garnered significant attention, accuses Rachel Gunn of setting up her own governing body for breakdancing and using it to secure her place in the Olympics.
It also alleges that talented dancers like G Clef and Holy Molly were unfairly denied opportunities, while the NT Youlong Boys, a group of underprivileged youth, were deprived of crucial funding to attend qualifiers.
The situation has been further complicated by claims that Gunn’s husband is part of the selection panel, raising concerns of a conflict of interest.
The petition demands a public apology from Gunn and Anna Mears, who is implicated in the controversy, along with a thorough investigation into the selection process.
The petitioners are also calling for an audit of Gunn’s business dealings and a global apology to the breakdancing community for the alleged unethical practices.
Gunn’s embarrassing breakdancing goes viral
Rachel Gunn, who performed under the name “Raygun” at the Paris Olympics, became the subject of online ridicule after her breakdancing routine went viral for all the wrong reasons.
Gunn’s routine, which she described as focusing on creativity rather than power moves, received zero points from the judges.
Social media users were quick to point out the simplicity of her moves, questioning the level of difficulty and the artistic merit of her performance.
Despite the criticism, Gunn defended her approach during a press conference this past Saturday, stating:
“All of my moves are original. Creativity is really important to me. I go out there, and I show my artistry.”
Olympics: ‘Breakdancing won’t return in 2028’
Breakdancing, which made its debut at the Paris Olympics, will not return for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
The decision to exclude breakdancing from the Los Angeles Olympics was made before the Paris Games even began.
Despite its brief inclusion, the event drew mixed reactions, particularly due to the controversy surrounding Rachel Gunn’s performance.
The B-girls and B-boys competitions saw Japan and Canada taking gold, respectively, but the overall reception of the sport at the Olympics has led to questions about its future on such a prestigious stage.
