SYDNEY — The Australian Olympic Committee has criticized an nameless on-line petition attacking controversial Paris Video games breaking competitor Rachael Gunn, saying the petition was “vexatious, deceptive and bullying.”
Final weekend, the game of breaking made its Olympic debut. One of many lasting photos was the efficiency of an Australian b-girl generally known as Raygun — 36-year-old Sydney college professor Gunn — who did a “kangaroo dance” amongst different questionable strikes throughout her routine, and scored zero factors.
Gunn was subsequently closely criticized for her efficiency with parodies even being performed out on a late night time tv present in the USA.
Gunn, who has not but returned to Australia following the Video games, obtained sturdy help from Australian staff chef de mission Anna Meares whereas nonetheless in Paris. On Thursday, the AOC went a serious step additional, refuting quite a few misguided tales it says have appeared on-line since.
Chief government officer Matt Carroll stated the AOC had written to vary.org, which had revealed a petition criticizing Gunn and the AOC, demanding that or not it’s instantly withdrawn.
Carroll says the petition “contained quite a few falsehoods designed to engender hatred in opposition to an athlete who was chosen within the Australian Olympic staff by a clear and unbiased qualification occasion and nomination course of.”
“It’s disgraceful that these falsehoods concocted by an nameless individual could be revealed on this manner,” Carroll stated. “It quantities to bullying and harassment and is defamatory. We’re demanding that or not it’s faraway from the location instantly. No athlete who has represented their nation on the Olympic Video games needs to be handled on this manner . . . “
On-line criticism this previous week has included recommendations that the Oceania qualifying occasion held in Sydney final October was set as much as favour Gunn, and questioned the judging which allowed Gunn to qualify.
The AOC stated Thursday the Oceania qualifying occasion was carried out underneath the Olympic qualification system decided by the worldwide governing physique, World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) and authorised by the Worldwide Olympic Committee.
It stated the judging panel for the occasion was chosen by the WDSF and consisted of 9 unbiased worldwide judges.
Unattributed social media feedback additionally prompt Gunn and her husband, fellow breaker Samuel Free, had held positions inside Australian breaking organizations.
“Rachael Gunn holds no place with AUSBreaking or DanceSport Australia in any capability,” the AOC stated Thursday. “She is solely an athlete who competed within the qualifying occasion which she gained.”
Breaking on the Olympics is perhaps a one-and-done in Paris. It’s not on the competitors record for the following Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, and in addition is unlikely to seem in 2032 at Brisbane, Australia.
