Everyone remembers the breakdancing moment from the Olympics that went viral, but not for the right reasons.
Australian breakdancer Raygun’s defeat at the 2024 Paris Olympics continues to draw online mockery, with many questioning how she even qualified for the Games.
Raygun, whose real name is Rachael Gunn, has faced significant backlash after her recent mishap, becoming the subject of numerous jokes due to her 0.0 score in the competition.
What hasn’t been widely seen is a comparison with someone breakdancing alongside her Olympic routine, which truly highlights how far off the mark she was.
Although social media often revels in watching people fail, users have come together to highlight some exceptional breakdancers who displayed remarkable talent, including one performer with one less limb than Raygun.
Indeed, the focus has shifted to the Paralympian group that captivated Paris 2024 with their stunning breaking performance.
This group, consisting of men using crutches, demonstrated how breakdancing is truly done.
Unsurprisingly, the internet enjoyed the side-by-side comparison of their performance versus Raygun’s mishap, with one person commenting: “Brings a new meaning to the phrase ‘yes I can beat her standing on one leg’.”
Another individual accused Raygun of manipulating the competition through her husband: “Because she and her husband rigged the competition and froze out all the real breakdancers so she could get a free trip to Paris and do a r******d rendition of interpretive dance.”
Another person suggested it could have been an elaborate joke: “Raygun would be a female Ali G trolling at an olympic level if she wasn’t serious.”
One observer had their own theory about Raygun’s poor performance: “I still maintain that she was a stagehand that wandered out and got attacked by bees.”
The two videos indeed showcase different skill levels, with one of the Paralympic dancers executing flips and complex contortions while Raygun slid along the floor making various gestures.
Since the viral moment, the Olympic committee has decided to remove breakdancing from their competition entirely, with the Paralympics following suit.
Despite some impressive performances, the 0.0 scorer likely prompted a reevaluation.
However, Raygun did not stay silent on the matter and expressed her disappointment online: “It was disappointing it was decided that it wouldn’t be in L.A., particularly before we even had a chance to show it.
“That was possibly a little premature. I wonder if they’re kicking themselves now? What is an Olympic sport? What are the similarities between dressage and artistic swimming and the 100m sprint and the pentathlon?
“Breaking is clearly athletic, it clearly requires a whole level of dedication across a number of different aspects. It’s really bringing a new level of excitement.”
We’ll have to wait and see if they’ll reintroduce the breakdancing category in 2028.