Let’s dive into the latest buzz surrounding Australia’s Olympic athletes, particularly the now infamous breakdancer Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn.
While most of Australia’s Olympians have returned home to a hero’s welcome, Raygun has decided to extend her stay in Europe for a bit of downtime after a rather challenging experience at the Paris Olympics.
Rachael Gunn, known as ‘Raygun’ in the breakdancing community, made headlines for her performance at the Games, though not in the way she might have hoped. Despite her best efforts, she didn’t score a single point across three battles, leading to her name becoming somewhat infamous on the international stage. This was particularly disappointing considering the excitement surrounding breakdancing’s debut as an Olympic sport.
While her fellow athletes landed in Sydney on Wednesday morning, ready to reunite with family and friends, Raygun opted to stay in Europe. According to reports from 2GB, she might be spending some much-needed relaxation time with her husband Samuel Free and her parents.
The athletes who did return home were greeted warmly at Sydney Airport, with a special reception held inside a Qantas hangar. Among those welcoming the team were Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns, highlighting the importance of this homecoming for the country.
The flight back from Paris was reportedly a quiet one, with many athletes exhausted after their intense competitions. Those who won medals were treated to business class seats, while two-time Olympians were offered premium economy—a fitting reward for their efforts. And speaking of medals, the plane was said to be an extra 25 kilograms heavier due to the haul of Olympic hardware, a testament to Australia’s success at these Games.
Among the returning athletes were some of Australia’s biggest names, including swimming stars Ariarne Titmus and Kaylee McKeown, canoeist Jess Fox, and BMX star Saya Sakakibara. The closing ceremony flag bearers, McKeown and sailor Matt Wearn, were the first off the plane, greeted by applause and cheers from their loved ones.
This year’s Olympics were particularly special for Australia, with the team winning 18 gold medals, marking the country’s most successful Games to date. The athletes’ achievements have been celebrated nationwide, with the returning Olympians sure to receive more recognition in the days to come.
As for Raygun, her decision to stay in Europe might be a way to process her Olympic experience away from the spotlight. While her performance didn’t go as planned, participating in the Olympics is a significant achievement in itself. Perhaps this time away will help her regroup and come back stronger for future competitions.
