‘What she did was pretty courageous’: Arj Barker defends Raygun

Raygun has found a new ally who knows all too well what it feels like to be the talk of Australia.

Viral Olympic breakdancer Rachel (Raygun) Gunn has found an ally who knows all too well what it feels like to lead news bulletins for all the wrong reasons.

The 36-year-old Australian has been widely panned on social media and by celebrities, including Adele and Jimmy Fallon, in the fallout of her display in Paris.

Viral Olympic breakdancer Rachel (Raygun) Gunn receives widespread criticism for her performance in Paris, including from celebrities like Adele and Jimmy Fallon.

Gunn’s routine included moves that mimicked a snake and a kangaroo, and she even did the sprinkler.

She lost all three of her battles.

Even her fashion was criticised as the other competitors came out in street clothes, while Gunn wore her Australian Olympic tracksuit and cap.

Gunn’s routine, attire, and overall performance were heavily criticised, leading to a backlash on social media. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Plenty have risen to defend Raygun, including the Australian Olympic Committee, fellow athletes, and even the prime minister.

But the latest supporter, comedian Arj Barker, can well relate to bearing the brunt of Australian criticism.

Earlier this year, Barker sparked controversy after ejecting a breastfeeding mother from a Melbourne stand-up gig.

Comedian Arj Barker recently came to Gunn’s defence expressing support for Gunn’s courage. Picture: Jim Lee Photo

His controversial moment also left the nation divided.

“I saw some memes that were pretty funny, and, I mean, it was pretty surprising what she did, but I don’t get all the hate, you know, like, I don’t get like, there’s a lot of people that are like “You’re a disgrace” and, “you’re a waste of taxpayers money,” he told the audience at a recent gig, later sharing the clip online.

“I don’t understand that, because I think at the very least, what she did was pretty courageous. “You could say what you want about her, but I mean, she knew she wasn’t gonna win.

“She f***ing went out in style, man.

“And you know that other breakdancer, the one she was competing against? No, you don’t,” he concluded to applause.

Conspiracy theories about Gunn’s selection for the Olympics arise, prompting the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) to address the situation. Picture: Getty Images

In the wake of Gunn’s performance, conspiracy theories have swirled online including that her selection for the Games was fixed.

The AOC released a statement on Thursday after a petition was launched calling for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the AOC to “Hold Raygun Rachel Gunn and Anna (Meares) accountable for unethical conduct (and) Olympic selection”.

The AOC defends Gunn’s selection, stating that it was conducted through a transparent and independent qualification event and nomination process. Picture: Getty Images

The petition, which had over 50,000 signatures at the time of writing, was slammed by AOC CEO Matt Carroll on Thursday, who called it “vexatious, misleading, and bullying” and demanded it be taken down.

Carroll said that the petition contains “numerous falsehoods” and is designed to “engender hatred” against Dr Gunn, who he says was selected “through a transparent and independent qualification event and nomination process”.

“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 statement read.

“It’s important that the community understands the facts and that people do not form opinions based on malicious untruths and misinformation.”

Raygun won her place at the Olympics when she won the Oceania Qualifying event in Sydney in October 2023.

Gunn won her place at the Olympics by winning the Oceania Qualifying event in Sydney in October 2023, according to the AOC. Picture: Getty Images

The AOC confirmed that the event was conducted under the Olympic qualification system determined by the international governing body, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), as approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

They stated that the judging panel for the event was selected by the WDSF and consisted of nine independent international judges who were brought to Australia specifically to provide “fair, expert and transparent adjudication”.

AUSBreaking has also released a series of statements explaining the selection process for the Australian team, responding to “misinformation” about Raygun’s win at the Oceania Championships, and accusations that Raygun had set up “her own governing body for Breaking and then using her position to manipulate the selection process to her own advantage.”

‘Pretty devastating’: Raygun breaks silence over Olympic fallout

Gunn broke her silence overnight, taking to Instagram in a video to address the swirling storm following her Olympic performance.

“I just want to start by thanking all the people who have supported me, I really appreciate the positivity and I was glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives — that’s what I hoped,” the Instagram video began.

“I didn’t realise that that would also open the door to so much hate which has frankly been pretty devastating.

Gunn has since expressed gratitude for the support but also addressed the hate and harassment she has faced.

“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’m going to be in Europe for a few weeks for some pre-planned down time. But I’d really like to ask the press to please stop harassing my family, my friends, the Australian breaking community, and the broader street dance community.

“Everyone has been through a lot as a result of this so I ask you to please respect their privacy.”

Aussie Olympians rally around Raygun

Aussie athletes were well aware of the abuse being hurled towards their countrywoman and rallied around her at the end of the Games, with the AOC pledging ongoing support to the 36-year-old.

“She came in for the closing ceremony, and the whole team got around her,” gold medal swimmer Cam McEvoy said.

“I think that’s good because it was in contrast to what she was receiving on social media and world media.

“I couldn’t imagine myself in that position because it would have been so tough. It’s just good to see the team get around her.”

Australian athletes, including star Olympian gold medal Jess Fox, have rallied around Gunn, with the AOC pledging ongoing support for her after the backlash. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Dual gold medallists Jess Fox spoke to Gunn about the fallout and said it was “devastating for her” and that the breaker “doesn’t deserve that”.

“To see the toll … she is human and it is massive what she has been through over the last week,” Fox said.

“She has definitely been feeling it. There is a human behind all that, and people are so quick to be awful. She doesn’t deserve that.”

Boxer Harry Garside praised Raygun for having a go, taking aim at armchair critics.

“She showed the Australian spirit which is to go out there and give it a crack,” he said.

“She’s such a superstar, and I think the whole of the Australian team is getting around her now.

“There are so many people in this world who just critique, critique, critique, but they’re the ones that aren’t in the arena. Raygun and us Olympians are in the arena and having a crack, and that’s the Australian spirit.”