Australia’s Olympic chief has sharply criticized criticism of breakdancer Rachael Gunn, describing it as typical of the misogynistic abuse that female athletes have been subjected to in the past.
Head of Mission Anna Meares said Gunn should be praised for her bravery and not pilloried for her performance at the Paris Games.
Gunn, known as Raygun, failed to score a single point when breakdancing made its Olympic debut in Paris on Friday.
Since then, Gunn has become the target of criticism on the Internet and in some mainstream media not only for her performance but also for her appearance.
“I love Rachael,” Meares told reporters.
“What happened on social media with trolls and keyboard warriors and that these comments were given airtime was really disappointing.
“Raygun is an absolutely beloved member of this Olympic team.
“She represented the Olympic team and the Olympic spirit with great enthusiasm.
“And I’m absolutely amazed by her bravery. I love her character and I’m very disappointed for her that she was attacked like that.”
Gunn, a 36-year-old Australian university lecturer, lost all three of her round-robin matches by a combined score of 54-0.
“In 2008, she was locked in a room, crying, the only woman competing in a male-dominated sport,” Meares said.
“And it took a lot of courage for her to keep going and fight for her chance to participate in the sport she loved.
“As a result, she won the Olympic qualifying tournament and was able to take part here in Paris.
“She is the best breakdancer we have for Australia.”
Meares compared the criticism to misogynistic abuse in the past directed against female athletes who fought for recognition in the sporting world.
“If you look at the history of what we have experienced as female athletes in terms of criticism, belittlement, judgment and simple comments like ‘they shouldn’t be there,'” she said.
“One hundred years ago, in the run-up to the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, Australia entered a team of 37 athletes – none of whom were women.
“One hundred years later, 256 women are represented here.”
16-year-old Australian Jeff “J-Attack” Dunne also failed to make it past the round robin in the men’s event on Saturday evening.
Dunne suffered three consecutive losses, but was able to collect a point in each of his second and third fights.
AAP
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