Paris Olympics fans say criticism of breakdancer Raygun IS NOT sexism – as Aussie legend weighs in on drama
Olympic fans have reacted strongly after Australia’s Olympic chairman attributed criticism of breakdancer Raygun to sexism. Athletics legend Sally Pearson has her say on the drama.
Mission chief Anna Meares says Gunn should be commended for her courage, not pilloried for her performances at the Paris Games.
Gunn, better known as Raygun, failed to score a single point when breaking made its Olympic debut on Friday in Paris.
Since then, Gunn has been the target of not only criticism, but also criticism of her performance, online and in some mainstream media.
She hopped like a kangaroo, at times resembled a T-Rex and rolled across the floor in an incoherent manner that both confused and entertained Australians watching the sport for the first time.
“In 2008 she was locked in a room and cried because she was the only woman in a male-dominated sport,” Meares said.
‘And it took a lot of courage for her to keep going and fight for her chance to participate in a sport she loved.
‘That’s why she won the Olympic qualifying event to be here in Paris.
Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn’s routines in Paris made her go viral for all the wrong reasons after she failed to score a single point when the sport made its Olympic debut.
Australian chef de mission in Paris, Anna Meares (pictured), said criticism of Raygun was the same kind of misogynistic insults that have been directed at female athletes for generations
“She’s the best female breakdancer we have in Australia.”
Meares compared the criticism to the historical misogynistic insults directed at female athletes as they struggle for recognition in the sporting world.
“Now look at the history of what we as female athletes have experienced in terms of criticism, belittling, condemnation and simple comments like ‘they shouldn’t have been there,’” she said
A hundred years ago, in the run-up to Paris 1924, Australia sent a team of 37 athletes – not a single woman.
‘A hundred years later, we have 256 women represented here.’
Fans responded to Meares’ comments, insisting that sexism has nothing to do with the global reaction to Raygun’s actions.
Raygun left many viewers in hysterics or scratching their heads with a routine in which she jumped like a kangaroo and at times even resembled a T-Rex
Fans say criticism of Australian sensation has nothing to do with sexism
‘Criticism of Raygun (I can’t believe I’m typing that name!) is sexism = peanut. A total lame excuse!’ posted one X user.
‘Interesting takeaway… Instead of acknowledging their mistake and flaw in the selection methodology, they decided to go down the sexist route. From what I read, I couldn’t see anyone doing that. Very weak response from Australia’s chef de mission,’ posted another.
“No sexism here. She was just worthless. If a man did the same dance, the world would say the same thing,” another replied.
Meanwhile, Australian Olympic legend Sally Pearson has come to Gunn’s defense, saying that not every athlete aims to win gold.
“Pierre de Coubertin, known as the father of the modern Olympic Games, once said, ‘The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning, but taking part,'” Pearson wrote in a Column by News Corp.
‘That’s exactly what Gunn did and it’s something everyone overlooked after her performance.
Australian sporting icon Sally Pearson says Gunn has earned her place in the team and has got fans talking
‘She gets everyone talking and I’m sure people will be talking about her performance for a long time to come.’
Gunn, a 36-year-old Australian university lecturer, has lost all three of her round-robin bouts by a combined score of 54-0.
Pearson then noted how successful Gunn was and how much effort she had put into it.
“It’s a real shame that the Paris Olympics were Australia’s best ever Games, coming in third place with 18 gold medals. But some people will only remember Australia’s achievements based on what Gunn did,” she wrote.
‘It seems that Raygun, whether you agree with it or not, whether you think this is an Olympic sport or not, whether it is a top-level sport or not, has ticked all the boxes and rightly earned her place on the team. She will forever be etched in Australian history as the only female b-girl in the country.’