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‘Untruths’ about Raygun in explosive statement from Australian Olympic Committee

VaselineAugust 15, 2024

1 2 minutes read

‘Untruths’ about Raygun in explosive statement from Australian Olympic Committee

The Australian Olympic Committee has issued a bombshell statement condemning the “disgraceful” bullying of breakdancer Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn.

A petition on change.org called for Raygun and Olympic chef de mission Anna Meares to be held accountable for “unethical behaviour”.

The petition, which puts forward a number of theories about the 36-year-old’s selection, has now been signed by 45,000 people.

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It was suggested that Raygun would “set up her own governing body for breakdancing” and “manipulate the selection process to her own advantage”.

But most of the theories mentioned were factually incorrect.

AOC CEO Matt Carroll has written a letter to change.org demanding the immediate withdrawal of the “horrific” petition, calling it “inconvenient, misleading, and intimidating.”

“The AOC is particularly offended by the insult to our Chef de Mission, Anna Meares. The Australian Team Chef de Mission played no role in the qualifying events or the nomination of athletes to the AOC Selection Committee, of which the Chef and I are members,” Carroll said.

“It is outrageous that these lies, made up by an anonymous person, can be published in this way. It amounts to bullying and intimidation and is defamatory. We demand that it be removed from the site immediately.

“The petition has stirred up public hatred without any factual basis. It is appalling. No athlete who has represented their country at the Olympics should be treated in this way and we stand with Dr Gunn and Anna Meares at this time.

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

AUSBreaking had already issued a statement clarifying the selection process, but the AOC supplemented this with a clear list of facts:

The Oceania Qualification Event, held in Sydney in October 2023, was conducted according to the Olympic Qualification System established by the international governing body, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), and approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The judging panel for the event was selected by the WDSF and consisted of nine independent international judges brought to Australia specifically to provide fair, expert and transparent judging.
The event was run by AUSBreaking under the auspices of DanceSport Australia and the WDSF and in accordance with WDSF guidelines. Athletes from four countries – Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji – competed.
Dr Rachael Gunn won the Oceania Breaking Championship in October 2023 and was rightfully nominated to the AOC by DanceSport Australia for selection in the Australian Olympic team.
Dr Rachael Gunn has no position with AUSBreaking or DanceSport Australia in any capacity. She is simply an athlete who competed in the qualifying event which she won. There have been no appeals filed by any athlete.
Dr. Gunn is not responsible for funding decisions in her sport.
Mr Samuel Free is a coach who is not affiliated with AUSBreaking or DanceSport Australia in any capacity and was not a judge at the qualifying event.
Anna Meares, chef de mission of the Australian Olympic team, was not involved in the qualifying competitions or the nomination of the athletes.
DanceSport Australia and the athletes received no funding from the Federal Government.
The AOC has provided financial support to DanceSport Australia for Breaking High Performance, from its own resources.
The Australian Olympic Committee fully funded the Australian Olympic team’s campaign to Paris.
No federal taxpayer money was sought or provided for the Paris Olympic team campaign. The $25 million cost of the team was paid entirely by the Australian Olympic Committee.

Raygun became a sensation in Paris after failing to score a single point in her three fights in her Olympic debut.

The university professor’s unique moves were widely criticized, including in a cruel segment on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show.

But the 36-year-old is expected to earn millions, marketing experts predict.

VaselineAugust 15, 2024

1 2 minutes read

Vaseline

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