Australian Olympic chief slams online attacks on breakdancer Raygun
An online petition has called for an investigation into Rachael Gunn’s selection after her routine at Paris 2024 went viral
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) on Thursday condemned an online petition calling for an investigation into breakdancer Rachael Gunn’s selection for Paris 2024, saying it contained falsehoods aimed at inciting hatred against her.
Gunn, a 36-year-old Australian university lecturer known in breaking as B-Girl Raygun, was pilloried online and in mainstream media after she lost all three of her round-robin battles by a combined score of 54-0.
The petition on change.org, which calls for an apology from Gunn as well as Australia’s Olympic Chef de Mission Anna Meares, had over 45,000 signatures by Thursday morning.
Meares defended Gunn from trolling in a media conference last Saturday.
In a statement, AOC chief executive Matt Carroll said the petition attacking Gunn was “vexatious, misleading and bullying”.
“The petition has stirred up public hatred without any factual basis,” he said. “No athlete who has represented their country at the Olympic Games should be treated in this way and we are supporting Dr Gunn and Anna Meares at this time.”
The AOC has written to change.org demanding it take down the petition immediately, Carroll added. Carroll also said that Gunn was selected through a transparent and independent qualification event and nomination process.
“The AOC is particularly offended by the affront to our Chef de Mission, Anna Meares,” he added. “[She] played no role in the qualification events nor the nomination of athletes to the AOC Selection Committee, of which the Chef and I are members.”
Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments