Olympic breakdancer Raygun reacts to backlash after viral Olympic performance

Rachel Gunn – best known by her breakdancing name Raygun – is speaking out on the reaction to her viral performance at the Paris Olympics, saying the hate has been “devastating.”

The 36-year-old Australian posted a video on her Instagram page on Thursday commenting on the backlash and thanking her supporters.

“I really appreciate the positivity and I'm glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives; that's what I hoped,” Gunn said.

“I didn't realize that it would also open the door to so much hate, which was honestly pretty devastating. Even though I went out there and had fun, I took it very seriously. I worked my ass off preparing for the Olympics and really gave it my all.”

While some people have mocked her for her actions, others have accused Gunn of something more sinister. In fact, there is a Change.Org A petition is making the rounds raising questions about the integrity of the selection process that brought her to Paris in the first place.

Gunn referred to statements by the Australian Olympic Committee calling for the removal of the “defamatory” petition.

Gunn, who teaches at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, says she will spend some time in Europe for a “pre-planned break.”

Before signing off, Raygun had one more message for the press: Stop harassing her and her people.

“Please stop harassing my family, my friends, the Australian breakdancing community and the wider street dance community. Everyone has been through a lot because of this so I ask that you respect their privacy.”