Current:Home > NewsPanic on the streets of Paris for Australian Olympic breaker -CryptoBase
Panic on the streets of Paris for Australian Olympic breaker
View
Date:2025-04-16 20:30:13
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — For Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, first came her polarizing performance at the Olympics, followed by her panic when she was chased through the streets of Paris.
The 37-year-old university lecturer from Sydney — her birthday was on Monday — bewildered expert and casual viewers alike in the sport of breaking with an unconventional routine that included mimicking a kangaroo.
Breaking was being contested at an Olympics for the first time . And it might be a one-and-done, not scheduled on the program for the Los Angeles in 2028 or for Brisbane, Australia in 2032.
“Raygun” as she was known, was later ridiculed on social media, with some posts also questioning the Olympic qualifying process.
In a television interview for The Project on Australia’s Channel 10, she told of being chased by cameras through Paris streets and how she dealt with the very public reaction to her performance.
“That was really wild,” she said in rare public comments since the event. “If people are chasing me, what do I do? That really did put me in a state of panic. I was nervous to be out in public. It was pretty nerve-wracking for a while.”
She apologized for the commotion, but again defended her performance and said she was thankful for support from others in the sport.
“It is really sad to hear those criticisms,” she said. “I am very sorry for the backlash that the community has experienced, but I can’t control how people react. The energy and vitriol that people had was pretty alarming.
“While I went out there and had fun, I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics and I gave my all, truly. I think my record speaks to that.”
She had previously defended how she qualified for Paris, and reiterated it on the TV program.
“I won the Oceania championships. It was a direct qualifier,” Gunn said. “There were nine judges, all from overseas. I knew my chances were slim as soon as I qualified,” for the Olympics.
2024 Paris Olympics:
- What to know about the closing ceremony: A skydiving Tom Cruise and performances from Billie Eilish, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Paris Olympics mainstay Snoop Dogg highlighted the French capital’s au revoir to the Olympics.
- Indelible images: AP photographers pick their favorite images from the Paris Olympics.
- Who won the 2024 Olympics?: See which countries tied for the most gold medals in Paris, and who exceeded expectations.
- When are the next Summer Games? The Olympics will always have Paris. But next up for the Summer Games: Los Angeles 2028. See how the City of Angels is preparing to follow the City of Light.
“People didn’t understand breaking and were just angry about my performance,” she added. “The conspiracy theories were just awful and that was really upsetting. People are now attacking our reputation and our integrity — none of them were grounded in facts.”
One of the most highly-critical reactions to her performance was a sketch on American comedian Jimmy Fallon’s late-night television show.
She said she was still “not in a place to watch it.”
Otherwise, Gunn said she’s just trying to cope a month later, with some help from therapy.
“I definitely have my ups and downs, good and bad days,” she said. “It has been so amazing to see the positive response to my performance. I never thought I’d be able to connect with so many people in a positive way ... but it definitely has been tough at times. Fortunately, I got some mental health support pretty quickly.”
___
AP Paris Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
veryGood! (5769)
Related
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Brittney Griner is working on a memoir about her captivity in Russia
- Why a portrait artist from Ireland started making comics about U.S. police brutality
- Nordstrom Winter Sale: Shop a $128 Sweater for $38 & 50% Off Levi's, Kate Spade, Free People & More
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Why Jeremy Strong Has Succession Fans Thinking Season 4 Will Be the Last
- Tiger Woods Apologizes for Handing Golfer Justin Thomas a Tampon During PGA Tournament
- Richard Belzer Dead at 78: Mariska Hargitay and Other Law & Order: SVU Stars Mourn Actor
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Beatbox champion Kaila Mullady on the secret of boots and cats
Ranking
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- 'Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves' has high charisma
- 'Wait Wait' for March 18, 2023: With Not My Job guest Sam Waterston
- 'Like a living scrapbook': 'My Powerful Hair' is a celebration of Native culture
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Stranger Things' David Harbour Shares Heartfelt Reaction to Noah Schnapp's Coming Out
- The 73 Best Presidents’ Day Beauty Deals: Fenty Beauty, Tarte, Olaplex, Isle of Paradise, MAC, and More
- See Pregnant Rihanna Work It in Plunging White Dress During Birthday Dinner With A$AP Rocky
Recommendation
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
Allison Holker’s Daughter Shares Message After Stephen tWitch Boss’ Death
Lily-Rose Depp Says She's So Careful About Nepo Baby Conversations Now
Every Time a Superhero Was Recast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
Hayden Panettiere's Younger Brother Jansen Panettiere Dead at 28
Louder Than a Riot: Trina and her larger-than-life persona in hip-hop
Kelly Osbourne Shares Honest Message on Returning to Work After Giving Birth to Her Son