Athlete fiercely defended after people find out sport has already been axed from next Olympics

The 2024 Olympics drew to an end on Sunday (11 August), but not before squeezing in one more viral moment in the form of athlete Raygun.

Her performance clearly stuck out more than others after the Team Australia star - real name Rachael Gunn - took the internet by storm after being slapped with a 0.0 score at the games.

The 36-year-old breakdancing star has since been fiercely defended after people found out that the sport has already been axed from the next 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

There were 32 sports in total on the programme for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

But breakdancing, which only debuted this year, has been scrapped altogether for the next ceremony in 2028.

After the news came to light, many trolls took it upon themselves to make jokes about Raygun's Olympic performance which saw her score a zero across all three breaking battles - namely theorising that her stint is the sole reason as to why breakdancing will be axed in 2028.

One X user quipped: "Break dancing will not be part of the 2028 Olympics. This chick killed the entire competition with one dance."

A second hit out: "I'm honestly p*ssed this happened breakdancing in the Olympics was probably the one cool thing I saw and now it’s gone."

And a third slammed: "She really embarrassed the sport at a time where it was most vulnerable, most of the public will only have seen the clips of her on social media and are left with the impression that it’s not an Olympic sport.

"I hope she as a person is ok but, she should show accountability."

Well, the decision, as controversial as it may be, was actually made before this summer's Olympics had even kicked off - therefore before Raygun even took to the stage.

Setting the record straight, one X user explained: "To be fair breakdancing was never going to be part of the ‘28 Olympics.

"Paris chose this as one of their sports added for some reason lol."

And another helpfully broke the whole thing down, stating: "Dr. Gunn’s performance wasn't the reason break dancing isn't included in the 2028 Olympics.

"The reason is break dancing wasn't popular enough to continue to the next Olympics.

"Sports added or removed are based on several criteria, including how widely they are practiced, their appeal, and whether they reflect modern traditions."

Let’s break this down:

Dr. Gunn’s performance wasn't the reason break dancing isn't included in the 2028 Olympics. The reason is break dancing wasn't popular enough to continue to the next Olympics.

Sports added or removed are based on several criteria, including how widely…

— brflux (aka brett) (@brflux) August 11, 2024

The X user continued to point out that Raygun is 'an academic who studies the intersection of gender and politics in breakdancing', noting: "Dr. Gunn is not primarily a break dancer.

"She stated in an interview with People magazine that she wanted to move differently and be artistic and creative because how many chances do you get that in a lifetime to do that on an international stage.

"She also admitted she would not be able to perform the kind of moves the younger people in the competition would do. So she wanted to do something different to stand out."

Finishing off, they added: "So her dance moves were different, and she was eliminated from the competition just like any other athlete who doesn't do well during their competition day.

"How many of you have been in, then the Olympics?"

Ouch.