Breaker Raygun on processing her Olympic experience
BBC Sport dives into the journey of Rachael Gunn, known as Raygun, as she navigates the Paris 2024 Olympics.
A Panicked Entry
Just hours before representing Australia at the opening ceremony, Gunn experienced a panic attack in the Olympic village. With seasoned athletes all around, she felt like an imposter in a world she hadn’t expected to find herself in, having a background as a university lecturer. She was about to compete in breakdancing, a debutant sport at the Olympics.
From Tears to Waves
"I just could not stop crying… I had a panic attack," she recounted in a Netflix documentary. Hours later, she found herself sailing down the River Seine, alongside her Australian teammates, waving to spectators.
A Memorable Olympic Journey
Although Gunn didn’t win any of her three round-robin battles, she left the Games with a sense of accomplishment. The world champion, Nicka, praised her moves, and the atmosphere was generally positive.
Viral Success and Unforeseen Consequences
Her unconventional moves, including a sprinkler and a kangaroo hop, went viral. Memes spread, Adele referenced her performance, and Chris Hemsworth came to her defense. Even Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised her for "having a crack".
However, this fame brought with it conspiracy theories about nepotism and questions about her and her husband/trainer Samuel Free’s ethics.
"It was really tough when mine and Sammy’s credibility, ethics, and motivations were being called into question," she said.
Mental Health Scrutiny and Recovery
The constant scrutiny took a toll on Gunn’s mental health. "I felt like my whole life was just kind of crumbling before me… and I was just trying to get through the day," she admits in the documentary.
But through the process of making the film, Gunn feels she has regained control.
"It’s taken a long time for me to process what happened," she told BBC Sport.
