Raygun, Viral Breaking Olympian, Says Online Hate Has Been ‘Pretty Devastating’: ’I Worked My Butt Off’

The competitive breakdancer released her statement on Instagram on Thursday, Aug. 15

Raygun is speaking out after receiving online hate.

Following false allegations that the Olympic breakdancer, whose full name is Rachael Gunn, manipulated the selection process for the 2024 Paris Olympics by electing herself to represent Australia, Raygun, 36, released a statement on her Instagram page on Thursday, Aug. 15, to speak out against the hate she has received.

“Hi everyone, Raygun here. I just want to start by thanking all the people who have supported me,” she said. “I really appreciate the positivity and I’m glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives. That’s what I hoped.”

“I didn’t realize that that would also open the door to so much hate which has frankly been pretty devastating,” she continued. “While, I went out there and I had fun, I did take it very seriously.”

Raygun, who went viral during her breaking competition on Aug. 9, added, “I worked my butt off, preparing for the Olympics and I gave my all truly. I’m honored to have been a part of the Australian Olympic Team and to be part of breaking’s Olympic debut.”

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The competitive breakdancer went on to say that “everyone” should refer to the statements by the AOC (Australian Olympic Committee), “as well as the posts on the Ausbreaking Instagram page” and the WDSF Breaking for Gold page.

On Tuesday, Australian breaking organization AUSBreakslammed claims that Raygun manipulated the Olympics’ selection process, adding that they “stand in solidarity” with her.

In a statement the organization confirmed that the selection process for the Games adhered to the “World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) regulations, which align with International Olympic Committee (IOC) standards” to “ensure a fair and transparent outcome.”

Related: Olympic Breakdancer Raygun, Who Went Viral for Her Controversial Style, Claps Back at Critics: 'I Do My Thing'

Meanwhile, after Reddit users alleged that Raygun and her husband and coach, Samuel Free, were founders of the Australian Breaking Association involved in the selection process, Australian news outlet theSydney Morning Heraldconfirmed Lowe Napalan, another Australian breaking champion, was the founder.

In her video statement, Raygun said that she would be in Europe “for a few weeks” thanks to having pre-planned downtime.

“But 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,” she added. “Everyone has been through a lot, as a result of this, so I ask you to please respect their privacy. I’ll be happy to answer more questions on my return to Australia, thanks everyone.”

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