If the Olympic Games (Olympic Games) are anything, in addition to a great display of physical strength and skill, it is a mine of symbols. Paris 2024 was no exception. For one reason or another, based on sporting achievements, controversy or simple curiosity, the Olympics over the past few weeks have catapulted to stardom athletes who were until not so long ago unknown outside their countries, such as Imane Khelif or shooters Kim Yeji and Yusuf Dikec. In recent days, Paris, already in its final stages, has raised another unsung star: Raygun, nicknamed ‘Raygun’. B-girl Rachael Gunn made her Olympic debut despite (or despite) herself. break dance.

The reason is “kangaroo dance”.

Rachael Gunn, ‘Raygun’. From anonymity to stardom. And in a matter of days, with the speed and completeness that only the Olympics and the networks combined can provide. ‘Raygun’ is an Australian B-girl who entered the competition on Friday. break dance It was held at La Concorde park during the Paris Olympics. Her country, Australia’s place in the Olympic delegation had been won months earlier during the Oceania Breaking Championships in Sydney.

Participation in the Paris Games and, above all, the importance of the Olympic event for Europe break dance They have given ‘Raygun’ considerable visibility both in their own country and among those who love the discipline. “Since it was confirmed for the first time break “This was an Olympic sport in 2020, I gave a lot of interviews to the media,” he recalled to his country’s Olympic Committee recently. He has now reached a level of fame that goes far beyond Australia. break dance and the Olympics.

Because? For your participation. Despite qualifying and competing at La Concorde, Raygun, 36, who is actually named Rachael Gunn, holds a PhD in cultural studies and is listed as a professor on the McQuaire University website, and has achieved a rather cautious result. Of course, only in terms of sports results. Things change when it comes to popularity.

Gunn fell off the first stage without even scratching a single point. But the moves she showed off during the test quickly went viral worldwide. Why? During her showcase, the B-girl left behind a collection of jumps, spins, turns, and other moves that were, to put it mildly, unconventional. break danceThe most striking of these, or certainly the one that produced the most surprise, is the “kangaroo”, Gunn’s imitation of one of the marsupials on his home turf.

Investing everything in originalityAware of the expectation (and ridicule) generated by her short time at the Games, Gunn was honest and made it clear what her strategy was to beat rivals like Ami, the 25-year-old Japanese athlete who eventually won gold: she may not have had the best technique in the competition, nor was she the most agile, but the Australian could win on originality.

“I was never going to beat these girls at what they do best: dynamics and powerful movements, so I wanted to move differently, to be artistic. How many opportunities do you have to do that on a global stage?” Her claim was different: “Something new, different, creative. That’s my strength, my creativity.”

From networks to politics. His jumps and moves in Paris were so striking that they catapulted Gunn to unexpected stardom that even eclipsed gold medalists Ami and Phil Wizard. His moves went viral on TikTok, spread like wildfire on X and Instagram, and prompted all sorts of comments, including some mocking his moves and even calling them a “mockery.” break dance.

Criticism of her style and attire, seemingly an Australian Olympic uniform in contrast to the attire of most of her rivals which displayed an urban aesthetic, led to some voices being raised in her defence.

Among them is Gunn’s fellow countryman, Olympic athlete Anna Meares, who praised her “bravery”. Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had kind words for the woman: “She tried. It’s Australian tradition that people try. She tried to represent our country.”

These are not just any Games. The popularity of the ‘Raygun’ dance is not only explained by its more or less shocking turns and steps. Paris 2024 was not just a sports event. As the organization itself emphasized, it was the first groundbreaking step in the Olympic Games. And at least for now, this experience is not expected to be repeated in Los Angeles.

After the first international competitions in the 90s and the success of the Summer Youth Olympic Games held in Buenos Aires in 2018, the Paris event was expected to be a historic moment: 16 B-boys and 16 B-girls were competing for the jury votes and the honor of the Olympic medal.

But the result did not convince everyone. And not just because of Raygun’s performance. In the last few days, media outlets such as the Associated Press and Euro News have published reports that raise several questions: What is the Olympic future of this discipline? Have the Olympics really adapted to it? Has the opportunity presented by the French event been seized?

“Significant deficiencies”. “There were significant deficiencies at the organizational and governance level that could have easily been remedied, but unfortunately these deficiencies had a negative impact on breakdancing’s first point of contact with its new global audience,” they explained to Euro News from the world of breakdancing. And not just because of the ‘Raygun’ dance and its viral phenomenon.

Break’s Olympic premiere topped other highlights: Lithuanian B-girl Nicka’s decision to wear a durag, a garment that has become a symbol of black pride, during her showcase drew criticism. Another sensitive moment occurred during the competition when Mazinha Talasj showed off a cape that read “Free Afghan Women.” She was disqualified for violating an Olympic Games rule prohibiting political statements.

Images | Australian Olympic Committee 1 & 2

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