The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has condemned an online petition attacking Rachael Gunn, or “Raygun”, who went viral after her breakdancing performance in Paris.
The Change.org petition was launched by an anonymous user urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the AOC to hold Gunn and Chef de Mission Anna Meares “accountable for unethical conduct” in the university lecturer’s Olympic selection.
AOC chief executive Matt Carroll has written to the website demanding the petition be immediately withdrawn, claiming it amounts to “bullying and harassment and is defamatory”.
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Carroll said the petition contained numerous falsehoods designed to create hatred against an athlete who was selected for the Australian Olympic Team through a transparent and independent qualification event and nomination process.
“The AOC is particularly offended by the affront to our Chef de Mission, Anna Meares,” he said.
“The Australian Team Chef de Mission played no role in the qualification events nor the nomination of athletes to the AOC Selection Committee, of which the Chef and I are members.
“It is disgraceful that these falsehoods concocted by an anonymous person can be published in this way.”
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Carroll added the petition had stirred up public hatred without any factual basis amid an internet storm mocking Gunn for her breakdancing performance.
“It’s appalling. No athlete who has represented their country at the Olympic Games should be treated in this way and we are supporting Dr Gunn and Anna Meares at this time,” he said.
“It’s important that the community understands the facts and that people do not form opinions based on malicious untruths and misinformation.”
How Gunn was selected for the Paris Olympics
The AOC said the qualifying event for breakdancing was held in Sydney in October 2023 was conducted under the Olympic qualification system determined by the international governing body, World DanceSport Federation as approved by the International Olympic Committee.
Nine independent international judges were brought to Australia to make the selection.
“Dr Rachael Gunn in winning the Oceania Breaking Championship in October 2023 was legitimately nominated by DanceSport Australia to the AOC for selection in the Australian Olympic Team,” the AOC said.
“Dr Rachael Gunn holds 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 were no appeals from any athlete.”
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The AOC stated Gunn had no responsibility for any funding decisions in her sport, adding that the athletes received no federal government funding.
“The Australian Olympic Committee fully funded the Australian Olympic Team’s campaign to Paris,” the AOC said.
“No Federal taxpayer’s funds were sought, nor provided for the Olympic Teams’ Paris campaign.
“The $25 million cost for the Team was met entirely by the Australian Olympic Committee.”
The AOC added that Meares was not involved in the qualifying event or nomination of athletes.
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