Olympic boss Matt Carroll defends Raygun as Australian Olympians arrive home after record-breaking Paris Games
The head of the AOC along with golden girl Jess Fox have defended breakdancer Raygun as Australia’s record-breaking Olympic team touched down in Sydney.
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The head of the Australian Olympic Committee has told people to “knock it off” as controversy builds around Raygun’s breakdancing performance in Paris.
It comes as a large crowd gathered at Sydney Airport to warmly welcome home the athletes of Team Australia, celebrating their triumphant return from the Paris Olympics which marked their most successful campaign to date.
On a wet Wednesday morning, the Olympians made their way down the Qantas Dreamliner to a sea of green and gold with family members and friends eagerly anticipating their return.
AOC chief executive Matt Carroll told The Daily Telegraph it was “fantastic morning” of celebrations, which was sorely missed after the pandemic-stricken Tokyo Olympics.
He said the team’s success was a “combination of many”, including the athletes, their families and Australian supporters.
But, Mr Carroll expressed his disappointment with the fallout from breakdancer Rachael Gunn’s unique performance which has since featured on talk shows across the globe, including The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
“We’re looking after her and Anna Meares has been talking to her,” he said.
“I think it’s just most unnecessary, I don’t understand why some of the broadcasters in other parts of the world decide that mocking an athlete is funny or sensible, I think they should … knock it off, there’s no need for it.”
Mr Carroll said “people win, people lose … that’s what competition’s about” but added it was “very sad” that mainstream media had also decided to “have a crack” at her.
Fox also defended Raygun after stepping off the plane.
“I did speak to her - it is devastating for her,” Fox told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“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.”
“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.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s most decorated athlete of all time Emma McKeon said was “relieved to be back home” after winning a gold, silver and bronze medal.
Proudly wearing their gold medals, sister-duo Jess and Noemi Fox struggled through the crowd of supporters and media.
Jess said it was a “dream Olympics on all fronts from personal … to family success”.
“It was my fourth games and I think the most special,” she said.
“Tokyo was very unique … [with] restrictions but to be able to have packed out stadiums and atmosphere … for me personally to share that with Noemie this time around, it was the most special games.”
Having won her first medal, Noemie found the whole experience “crazy” and “surreal” given she left Australia not knowing whether she had qualified.
BMX gold medallist Saya Sakakibara was pleased to have a “beautiful night sleep” on her way back down under.
“It was a long flight but the rumours are true, all the medallists get business class so I had a beautiful night’s sleep,” Sakakibara said.
“I’m just so happy and so grateful to be part of this charter flight and to walk down the plane steps among so many amazing athletes, strong men and women.”
She said it was “amazing” to be able to share the medal with her brother who suffered a life-changing brain injury in 2020 after crashing at a World Cup event.
He was in the crowd on Wednesday morning saying while he was nervous during the event, he was excited now that “we have an Olympic gold medallist in the family”.
Tokyo bronze medallist Harry Garside said he still felt “numb” after an early exit in the first round of the men’s lightweight division.
While admitting his future was unknown, he was proud to be a part of the most successful Australian Olympic boxing team as he basked in the electric welcome from supporters in Sydney.
“I’m just excited to get back home around people that I love and you can really be yourself,” he said.
“I’m just so grateful to be part of that boxing team … [we had] our first ever female medal winner Caitlin Parker [and] Charlie Senior boxed amazingly as well.”
As the first Australian male athlete to win a medal in discus, Matthew Denny said he believed he wasn’t “at the peak of my powers yet” and hoped to retire at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
“If I do that, that’s five Olympics in track and field and no one in Australia has done that yet,” Denny said.
“It’s just being patient and keeping the body together.”
But, winning a medal wasn’t always in Denny’s sights, saying he persisted through the “bad years” and if it wasn’t for those efforts he wouldn’t be where he was today.
Fans draped in Olympics apparel welcomed the athletes home, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and governor-general Sam Mostyn greeting them as ARIA award-winning singer Jessica Mauboy joined the celebration performing her Olympic hit single “Higher”.
“(It was) nail biting watching her compete … (but) frustrating that we weren’t there,” David said.
“It means a lot to help facilitate [her love for the sport].”
The Paris Games were Australia’s most successful Olympic campaign in history.
A welcome home party for NSW Olympic and Paralympic heroes will be held in Tumbalong Park on September 13.
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Originally published as Olympic boss Matt Carroll defends Raygun as Australian Olympians arrive home after record-breaking Paris Games
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