AOC Condemns Petition Targeting Breakdancer Rachael Gunn's Olympic Selection

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) criticized an online petition targeting breakdancer Rachael Gunn's selection for the Paris Olympics, stating it contains falsehoods inciting hatred. Gunn, who lost her round robin battles, faced severe backlash. AOC CEO Matt Carroll called the petition 'vexatious, misleading and bullying.'

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) on Thursday condemned an online petition calling for an investigation into breakdancer Rachael Gunn's selection for the Paris Olympics, stating it contained falsehoods aimed at inciting hatred against her.

Rachael Gunn, a 36-year-old Australian university lecturer known in the breaking world as B-Girl Raygun, faced harsh criticism online and in the mainstream media after losing all three of her round robin battles by a combined score of 54-0.

The petition on change.org, which demands an apology from both Gunn and Australia's Olympic Chef de Mission Anna Meares, had garnered over 45,000 signatures by Thursday morning. Meares defended Gunn against the trolling in a media conference last Saturday.

In a statement, AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll said the petition attacking Gunn was 'vexatious, misleading and bullying.' 'The petition has stirred up public hatred without any factual basis,' he said. '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.'

The AOC has written to change.org demanding the immediate removal of the petition, Carroll added, emphasizing that Gunn was selected through a transparent and independent qualification and nomination process.

'The AOC is particularly offended by the affront to our Chef de Mission, Anna Meares,' Carroll stated. 'She 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.'

(With inputs from agencies.)