Australian breakdancer Rachel Gunn (aka Rae Gunn) has the internet in stitches after performing one of the funniest breakdancing routines in Olympic breakdancing history.
But not everyone is laughing.
A Change.Org petition was recently created to hold “Rae Gun” and Australia’s head of the Olympic delegation, Anna Mears, to account for “manipulating” the selection process that put the 36-year-old university professor on the stage at the Paris Olympics.
What’s the NBA equivalent of Rachel Gunn’s Olympic performance?pic.twitter.com/8FoIjIzdFy
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) August 13, 2024
“We, the undersigned, demand immediate accountability and transparency regarding the recent actions of Rachel Gunn and Anna Meares in the selection process for Australia’s women’s breakdancing team for the upcoming Olympic Games,” the petition states. read.
Bunny hop 😂😂 I haven’t laughed this much in a long time. Thank you Australia.
I still don’t understand how she qualified for the Olympics or who put her in the Olympics, but thank you. 😂
If you’ve never explored the world of Australian breakdancing, you’re really missing out. #Olympics2024 pic.twitter.com/IjgPYUIsxe
— BravoUniversitea (@BrvoUniversitea) August 10, 2024
The petition then details the allegations against Gunn, alleging that he tried to exploit the selection process to advance his own status at the expense of more deserving Australian breakdancers.
Rachel Gunn, who set up breakdancing’s own governing body, rigged the selection process in her favour. Other talented female breakdancers such as G Clef and Holy Moly were unfairly ignored, despite their obvious talent and qualifications. The NT Eurong Boys, a group of under-talented young people from the Northern Territory, were denied vital funding by Dr Gunn to take part in the preliminary competition, a decision which directly affected their chances of showcasing their skills on a national stage.
“Unfortunately, Dr Gunn won his own preliminary competition, beating other outstanding breakdancers, raising serious questions about the fairness and integrity of the selection process. If Dr Gunn’s husband is indeed the Australian coach and a member of the selection committee, this is a clear conflict of interest that cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.
The petition concludes by calling for an apology.
We demand a public apology from Rachel Gunn and Anna Meares for misleading the Australian public, gaslighting the public and attempting to undermine the hard work of true athletes. We also demand a full investigation of the selection process, an audit of Dr Gunn’s business dealings and a global public apology to the breaking community for the unethical behaviour that has tarnished our sport. Rachel Gunn’s lack of ethics and morals raises serious concerns about her fitness to teach or hold any position of authority in our sport or at university.
Australia must do more for its athletes and ensure that the principles of fairness, transparency and integrity are upheld in all aspects of Olympic selection.
At the time of writing, the petition has 11,173 signatures out of a goal of 15,000.
