B-Girl Raygun Faces Online Harassment Amidst Tremendous Success at Paris Olympics

ICARO Media Group
News
16/08/2024 19h28

In a remarkable display of breaking prowess, B-girl Raygun's electrifying performance at the Paris Olympics left spectators in awe and inspired countless smiles. However, her achievements were unfortunately overshadowed by a relentless wave of online harassment, conspiracy theories, and baseless claims. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) swiftly condemned these actions as bullying, harassment, and defamatory.

The AOC expressed its deep disappointment with an online petition that targeted Raygun and others involved in the Olympics. The petition, filled with unsubstantiated accusations, aimed to stir up public hatred against the dancer. The AOC emphasized that such actions lacked any factual basis and labeled them as appalling.

In response to the overwhelming support she received, Raygun took to Instagram to express her gratitude to those who stood by her. She appreciates the positivity that has surrounded her journey, bringing joy into the lives of many. However, she also revealed the devastating impact that the unprecedented level of hate has had on her.

Raygun became a central figure during the final weekend of the Paris Games when she showcased a repertoire of unique and unconventional moves, effortlessly outshining the world's best breakdancers. Memes quickly circulated featuring her imitating a kangaroo, a snake, and even a sprinkler. While many praised her for her originality and confidence, her unorthodox moves attracted a barrage of criticism and skepticism.

Some individuals speculated that Raygun's performance was a hoax or a research project, given her background as a full-time university lecturer specializing in dance and gender politics. Others accused her of benefiting from a rigged competition, suggesting a conspiracy. However, her official Olympics bio affirmed her dedication to breaking and her diverse knowledge of various dance styles.

In her statement on Instagram, Raygun clarified that her primary goal was to have fun during the competition while taking it seriously. She emphasized the intense preparation she underwent for the Olympics and gave her all in each performance. Additionally, she acknowledged her deliberate choice to focus on originality and style rather than acrobatics and power moves, wanting to create a unique artistic presence on the international stage.

Raygun's groundbreaking performances made her the talk of the tournament, even amid appearances from renowned rapper and commentator Snoop Dogg. However, the future of breaking at the Olympics remains uncertain, with the event excluded from the roster of events for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

In her most recent statement, Raygun expressed her deep honor to have been part of breaking's Olympic debut in Paris and urged doubters to seek reliable information from official sources such as the AOC and the official Olympics website. Despite not winning any rounds in her dance battles, Raygun received recognition from judges for her originality and the variety of moves she employed, meeting two of the five criteria used for selecting winners.

The AOC recently released a comprehensive fact-check document dispelling the outlandish claims against Raygun and strongly condemned the treatment she has endured. The Australian Associated Press also supported the organization's stance in a separate fact-check. The World DanceSport Federation, as the sanctioning body for breaking, issued a statement standing against harassment, abuse, and cyberbullying.

Raygun intends to stay in Europe until September for a well-deserved vacation amidst the aftermath of the Olympics. In conclusion, she pleaded with the press to stop harassing her family, friends, the Australian breaking community, and the broader street dance community, recognizing the toll the situation has taken on them as well.

The international breaking community stands united in support of B-girl Raygun, celebrating her achievements and condemning the unjust treatment that has marred her Olympic journey.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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