‘It is devastating for her’: Fox defends Raygun as global pile-on takes a toll

Olympic hero Jessica Fox has leapt to the defence of under-fire Australian breaker Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, saying the global criticism and ridicule about her Olympic performance has taken a “devastating” toll.

Fox and a large contingent of Olympians arrived in Australia on Wednesday morning, and were welcomed home by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and hundreds of friends and family at a function inside a Qantas hangar at Sydney Airport.

Ariarne Titmus, Emma McKeon, Saya Sakakibara, Keegan Palmer and Kaylee McKeown were among the athletes who had gold medals hanging around their necks.

Gunn was not among the returning Olympians, however, having previously decided to travel with her husband Sam after the Games. The Sydney breaker and university academic has kept a low profile since the Olympic breaking competition, which led to Gunn and her Australian-flavoured performance going viral – and staying viral.

On top of countless memes and social media posts ridiculing her style, which even prompted an impersonation of Gunn on the Jimmy Fallon show, Gunn has also been falsely accused of not earning her spot, having ensured breaking was ditched by the IOC for the 2028 Games, and even deliberately losing in Paris as part of an academic study.

Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, who competed at the Olympics as Raygun.Credit: Getty Images

The global pile-on has weighed heavily on Gunn, according to Fox.

“I did speak to her; it is devastating for her,” Fox said.

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

Fox, who won two gold medals in Paris and was also elected on the 20-person IOC’s athlete commission, said the Australian team had made a point of supporting Gunn, and clips emerged of her dancing with teammates before the closing ceremony.

“It was special for us to be able to rally around her at the closing ceremony, and show our appreciation to her as a valued member of our team,” Fox said.

Swimmer Zac Stubblety-Cook – who won silver and bronze – said the criticism targeted at Gunn was “disappointing” and said she was a victim of an online culture where “everyone [is] looking for something to click on”.

Stubblety-Cook said it was “bloody awesome” to see Gunn in good spirits at the closing ceremony after a difficult Olympic experience.

Cyclist Matthew Glaetzer, who returned to Australian soil with two bronze medals, said no Olympian “should be spoken negatively about”.

“The passion she had, her representing Australia is all we want,” Glaetzer said.

Anna Meares’ children play with Jessica Fox’s medals during the Australian Olympians’ return to Sydney.Credit: Getty Images

Australian Olympic Committee boss Matt Carroll said support services had been extended to Gunn in Paris and would continue.

“I will have a conversation with Dance Australia, and they’ll want to look after her as well,” Carroll said.

“[The criticism] is unnecessary, that’s for sure. Everyone who goes to Games goes because they qualified, and she qualified. Athletes come from all over the world.

“Someone comes first and someone is going to come last. But they’re all trying their absolute best and they’re all extremely dedicated. I think they should be respected, regardless.”

The planeload of Olympic athletes and officials emerged to cheers in a Qantas hangar, and juggled media interviews with emotional reunions with family and friends.

After a couple of weeks in France, athletes quickly formed long queues for some good coffee, too.

Looking like many of the youngsters there for autographs and selfies but distinguished by a team tracksuit, 14-year-old skateboarder Arisa Trew, who became Australia’s youngest ever gold medallist, was spotted hanging up the back with fellow teen skater Chloe Covell, and quietly enjoying some free chocolate.

Kaylee McKeown’s five medals … she had to take them off because they were so heavy.Credit: Rhett Wyman

Closing ceremony flag bearers McKeown and Matt Wearn were on stage, along with Fox, chef de mission Anna Meares, Albanese and Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson.

Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and NSW Premier Chris Minns were also in attendance.

Fox and McKeown spoke of their happiness about returning home and thanked all Australians for their support during the Games, which were Australia’s most successful ever, with 18 gold medals.

Wearn, who defended his title in the men’s dinghy from three years ago, said it was a “phenomenal experience” being able to win gold with his family and supporters in Paris after fans were largely barred from Tokyo as part of COVID-19 restrictions.

Once the Sydney drop-offs were made, it was over to Melbourne, where gate 25 was adorned with all things green and gold.

Among the Olympians arriving home at Tullamarine was shooting bronze medallist Penny Smith, who spoke proudly about her hometown Camperdown, where she and gold medal-winning cyclist Grace Brown both hail from.

“To bring home two medals for a small town in Camperdown … it’s just great for the community. Everyone’s rallied around it so well,” Smith said.

“I work at a pub, and they’re actually having a welcome home party for me Friday night, which is really exciting.”

Joining Smith was boxing bronze medallist Caitlin Parker who was excited to reunite with her family after a six-week break.

Olympic bronze medallist Penny Smith will continue her celebrations later this week at the pub she works at. Credit: Jason South

Parker made history at Paris 2024 as the first Australian medallist in female boxing. She said the boxing community hoped the sport, which is mired in controversy, will remain for Los Angeles in 2028.

“It’s just got so much history, and it’s been a staple in the Games forever. Without it, it would be a tragedy,” she said.

Skateboarding gold medallist Palmer also headed to Melbourne, where he will stay before heading home to the US on Saturday.

With back-to-back gold medals, LA 2028 is the next mountain to conquer for Palmer, but the young gun has no plans on stopping there.

Caitlin Parker shows off her medal as Olympians are welcomed by friends and family as they arrive at Melbourne Airport on Wednesday.Credit: Jason South

“I definitely want to make it to Brisbane, just because I grew up an hour away from there, so it’d be pretty surreal,” Palmer said.

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