An awkward breakdance performance is the latest “this can’t be real” moment from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The incident came Friday as competitor “Raygun,” described as “Australia’s top-ranking breakdancer,” performed a dance routine that left many scratching their heads as to why the event had been added to the games.
This would be me trying to breakdance at the Olympics pic.twitter.com/vgO3K7YeJN
— Alexandra (@thealfoster) August 9, 2024
“A clip of the 36-year-old – real name Rachael Gunn – quickly went viral as she awkwardly squirmed on the dance floor with her hand on her chin to end what was already a confusing and chaotic routine,” the Daily Mail reports.
The Mail went on to note Gunn is also an expert creative arts researcher at Macquarie University in Sydney who specializes in “the cultural politics of breakdancing.”
Mixed feelings about Olympic breaking thus far but I'm fascinated by Raygun, the 36-year-old Australian college professor who does research on “dance, gender politics, and the dynamics between theoretical and practical methodologies.” pic.twitter.com/0wgHLxfcc9
— Dan Gartland (@Dan_Gartland) August 9, 2024
However, Gunn’s routine was panned as yet another spectacle trivializing the once-great institution, and prompted a ton of memes.
Olympic breakdancing… c’mon this not a sport, this isn’t anything except turbo cringe
pic.twitter.com/Vw1RFTRgI4
— CryptoBeesKnees
(@TheBigBeesKnees) August 9, 2024
There is no way I laugh harder for the rest of 2024 than after watching a 36 year old Australian college professor named Raygun "breakdance" against teenagers pic.twitter.com/OkN5OgqTNY
— Your Best Friend's Black Friend (@IAmStatMatt) August 9, 2024
It’s surprising that Raygun from Austrailia is the best breaker ya’ll have.
The kangarooher signature move.
How did she make it this far?!#BreakingForGold pic.twitter.com/Ij7iUeyfaK
— Stevie Austin (@StevieAustin14) August 9, 2024
my five year old niece after she says “watch this!” : pic.twitter.com/KBAMSkgltj
— alex (@alex_abads) August 9, 2024
me tryna get the duvet off when i’m too hot at night #olympics pic.twitter.com/NM4Fb2MEmX
— robyn (@robynjournalist) August 9, 2024
Raygun really hit them with the "Tyrannosaurus." pic.twitter.com/ZGCMjhzth9
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) August 9, 2024
SARUMAN: I gave you the chance of aiding me willingly, but you have elected the way of pain!
GANDALF:pic.twitter.com/g8Yidpw6Ty
— JRR Jokien (@joshcarlosjosh) August 9, 2024
Raygun really went to the Olympics and did this: pic.twitter.com/RDoUjvgwEr
— Troynelious Q. (@TheArnold_SoM) August 9, 2024
Australia just set breakdancing back 40 years #breaking #Olympics #Olympics2024 #ParisOlympics #breakdancing #raygun pic.twitter.com/i5ivX1v0Al
— michael
(@inluvin3days) August 9, 2024
I'd like to personally thank Raygun for making millions of people worldwide think "huh, maybe I can make the Olympics too" pic.twitter.com/p5QlUbkL2w
— Bradford Pearson (@BradfordPearson) August 9, 2024
Now the sprinkler is a part of break dancing#raygun#breaking#Olympics2024Paris #Paris2024 #breakdancing pic.twitter.com/NGaQnUsH9n
— Its your girl_Liz (@d4ch0sen1) August 9, 2024
Give Raygun the gold right now #breakdancing pic.twitter.com/bMtAWEh3xo
— n★ (@nichstarr) August 9, 2024
The breakdancer from down under later released a social media post appearing to address her routine stating, “Don’t be afraid to be different, go out there and represent yourself, you never know where that’s gonna take you.”
Her US competitor Logistx performed a more traditional breakdance routine.
Team USA breaker Logistx put on a show in her opening routine.
#ParisOlympics | E! and Peacock pic.twitter.com/nHndH0C7Dc
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 9, 2024
The strange routine comes as the games have been mired in controversy, from a satanic transgender-themed opening ceremony, to a male boxing a woman, to swimmers getting sick after swimming in the Seine.
Why? pic.twitter.com/0t2YU27liN
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) July 26, 2024
