- Fans have supported Raygun
- Breakdancer revealed his trolling was ‘pretty devastating’
- But her fans have told her to ‘ignore the haters’
Fans have come out in droves to support Rachael Gunn after she opened up about the mental toll the past week has taken on her.
Gunn, 36, better known by her stage name Raygun, became an overnight sensation at the Paris Olympics after her breakdancing performance displeased the judges.
What followed was a flood of insults on social media, with the public ridiculing the Australian university lecturer for her unique moves, such as hopping like a kangaroo and writhing on the ground.
In a heartfelt post on her Instagram page, Raygun admitted the online abuse is “pretty devastating.”
‘I didn’t realize that this would also open the door to so much hate, which has honestly been quite devastating.
She also asked people to stop “harassing” her and her friends and family and to “respect their privacy.”
And while some chose to respond with negative comments, which Daily Mail Australia did not publish, large groups of fans rallied behind the university lecturer.
“Hope your mental health is okay,” one Instagram follower said. “Take care of yourself first, lots of love.”
Fans have rallied behind Rachael Gunn after her first public message since the Olympics
Rachael Gunn said the online abuse directed at her was ‘quite devastating’
“Ignore the haters, you’re amazing,” another fan said. “Be very proud. You’re a true, fun-loving Aussie. You’re as much of a sporting legend as Steven Bradbury. Never to be forgotten.”
“I’m on your side, Rachael,” a third follower said. “You already know that.”
A fourth fan wrote: ‘You are an icon. Happy holidays!’
Another fan posted a response to the trolls: ‘She made us all laugh, why the hate?’
Raygun’s statement also addressed conspiracy theories circulating online about her performance, with some claiming she participated as part of a “social experiment.”
Nearly 50,000 people have also signed a petition on change.org calling for for ‘immediate accountability and transparency into the recent actions’ of Gunn and Paris mission chief Anna Meares over how Gunn was selected to represent Australia in Paris.
The call to action accuses the 36-year-old of “manipulating the selection process to her own advantage” so she would be chosen over more talented Australian female breakers, a charge that is described as “raising serious questions about the fairness and integrity of the process”.
No evidence has been provided to support the allegations in the petition.
AOC director Matt Carroll said the petition, which demands that Gunn and Meares publicly apologize, is “shocking” and “not based on fact.”
“Regarding the allegations and misinformation going around, I would like to ask everyone to read the recent statement from AOC, as well as the posts on Ausbreaking’s Instagram page and the WDSF Breaking for Gold page,” Raygun said.