Australian dancer's zero score sparks Olympic breakdancing debate

Australian dancer Raygun scored zero points at the Olympic Games in Paris, and some considered her routine a caricature of breakdancing. One of the judges explained why they awarded her zero points.

During the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, breakdancing was introduced in history as a sporting discipline. One of the competitors who drew huge attention was the Australian Raygun, also known as Rachael Gunn - a university lecturer from Sydney. Unfortunately, her performance ended in spectacular failure, and the dancer scored a total of... zero points. This event sparked a flurry of comments on social media and numerous memes.

The judges' decision to award Raygun a zero-point score stirred many emotions. One of the judges, Martin Gilian, known in the breakdancing community as MGbility, decided to explain what influenced such a harsh evaluation. He emphasized that the entire breakdancing and hip-hop community supports Raygun, appreciating her efforts and desire to introduce something new to the scene. "We have five criteria in the competitive judging system and just her level was maybe not as high as the other competitors", explained the judge.

Raygun, whose movements were inspired by Australian symbolism, gained popularity, but unfortunately, this did not bring her any points in the Olympic competition. The judges evaluated the competitors based on five criteria: Raygun performed worse than her competitors. "Breaking is all about originality and bringing something new to the table and representing your country or region. We have five criteria in the competitive judging system and just her level was maybe not as high as the other competitors" - added MGbility. Nevertheless, the judge appreciated her involvement and the fact that she represented Australia and Oceania on such a prestigious stage.

Rachael Gunn admitted that creativity is key for her and that she tries to express her art through dance. "I go out there and I show my artistry. Sometimes, it speaks to the judges, and sometimes, it doesn't. I do my thing and it represents art," she said after the performance. Unfortunately, her originality was not appreciated by the judges, which affected her score.

Due to the high level of interest and often negative reactions online, the dancer's mental state is being monitored, underscoring the importance of psychological support in such situations.

Breakdancing made its Olympic debut in Paris 2024, but it will not return to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. However, enthusiasts of this dance style may hope for its return in the future—in the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane. Enthusiastic reactions to breakdancing presentations in Paris, including from representatives of the Australian Olympic Committee, give hope for its reappearance at the Olympics.