Breakdancer Raygun ‘had a crack’, says PM

Australian Olympic breakdancer Raygun has attracted the support of the Prime Minister for “having a crack” during her unconventional routines in Paris.

Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn was Australia’s female representative in breakdancing’s Olympic debut.

Her performance on Friday sparked a flurry of comments, support, headlines and mockery.

Decked out in her Olympic uniform of a green track suit and matching cap, Dr Gunn failed to score a point in her three-round robin matches.

Her style includes plenty of improvisation and flow, and she even hopped like a kangaroo.

Dr Gunn yawned – perhaps as a part of the theatrical spectacle – while one of her competitors was dancing, before immediately doing some restrained dance moves to her competitor’s music.

Footage of her unique performance immediately went viral, and has sparked a wave of headlines around the world.

Australian Olympic Chief de Mission Anna Meares said a wave of online trolling directed at the dancer was misogynistic, as she had to break into a male-dominated sport.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shimmied into the debate on Sunday.

“Good on her and a big shout-out to her. That is in the Australian tradition of people having a go. She’s had a go representing our country and that’s a good thing,” Mr Albanese said.

Dr Gunn, a cultural studies academic, earned her Olympic spot through qualification.

“The Olympics is about people participating in sport,” the Prime Minister said.

“That’s a good thing and Raygun had a crack.

“Whether (athletes have) won gold medals or just done their best, that is all we ask for. It’s the participating that is really important.”

Breakdancing has been cut from the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, but could be included at Brisbane in 2023.

Leaping to Raygun’s defence earlier, six-time Olympic medal winner and Chef de Mission, Ms Meares, said the breakdancer had fought her way into the sport.

“Raygun is an absolutely loved member of this Olympic team,” Ms Meares said.

“She has represented the Olympic team, the Olympic spirit, with great enthusiasm.

“And I absolutely love her courage. I love her character and I feel very disappointed for her, that she has come under the attack that she has.”

“In 2008, she was locked in a room crying, being involved in a male-dominated sport as the only woman,” Meares said.

“And it took great courage for her to continue on and fight for her opportunity to participate in a sport that she loved.”

For her part, Dr Gunn said dancing was an art.

“All my moves are original… Creativity is really important to me. I go out there and I show my artistry.

“Sometimes it speaks to the judges, and sometimes it doesn’t. I do my thing, and it represents art. That is what it is about.”