People call for investigation after watching Olympic star Raygun speak out for first time since going viral
The Paris Olympics might be over and done with, but the drama certainly isn't.
Amid all of the relentless chatter about Australian breakdancer Raygun which has continued - and still shows no sign of slowing down - over the last week, sports fans have been patiently waiting for her to break her silence.
And the competitive breakdancer, 36, has now finally spoken out about the controversy surrounding her performance at the Olympics which earned zero points from the judges.
She shared a lengthy video on Instagram on Thursday (15 August) explaining that she has been left 'devastated' by the flack she has received online after footage of her routine went viral.
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It's already been parodied on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, so it's no wonder that Raygun wants to nip all the jokes at her expense in the bud ASAP.
She said in the clip: "I wanted to start by thanking all the people who supported me. I really appreciate the positivity and was glad I was able to bring some joy in to your lives. That's what I hoped.
"I didn't realise that would also open the door to so much hate which has frankly been pretty devastating. I went out there and I had fun. I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off working for the Olympics. I gave my all, truly."
The dancer - who's real name is Rachael Gunn - was met with some sympathy from social media users after sharing her response, however, there were still many who want more answers.
Several people in the comment section of her post called for an official investigation to be launched into how the academic, who is an expert researcher on breaking, ended up earning the honour of representing Australia.
One person said: "No hate, just lots of questions..."
Another wrote: "There needs to be investigation on how you got in the Olympics."
A third added: "If that was 'your all' then you took someone’s spot in the Olympics, they deserved it more. I hope you’re investigated for this."
A fourth added: "Can you honestly explain how you got selected? I’m genuinely curious."
While a fifth chimed in: "It was a terrible performance and people have the right to say that. I'm not sure how or why you got through, but maybe breaking shouldn't be in the Olympics if it's watered down so much that anyone can get in."
Elsewhere in the video, Raygun said she was 'honoured' to have represented her country in Paris and explained that she would 'really like' people to stop harassing her friends, family and the breakdancing community.
The Aussie also appeared to touch on the petition that has been launched against her, which has been signed by 50,000 people.
She provided no further comment at this stage and instead referred people to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and its comment on the matter.
The petition alleges - without evidence - that Raygun 'manipulated the selection process to her own advantage', with it demanding a public apology from her and Paris Chef de Mission Meares 'for misleading the Australian public and attempting to gaslight the public and undermining the efforts of genuine athletes'.
AOC boss Matt Carroll lambasted the petition as 'appalling', adding: "The AOC is particularly offended by the affront to our Chef de Mission, Anna Meares. The Australian Team Chef de Mission 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.
"It is disgraceful that these falsehoods concocted by an anonymous person can be published in this way. It amounts to bullying and harassment and is defamatory. We are demanding that it be removed from the site immediately."
Raygun's loved ones have previously addressed the drama surrounding her Olympic debut, while her best friend Sunny Spiteri also spoken out in her defence earlier this week.
But there is one silver lining - she's been touted as the next big reality star off the back of her breakdancing flop.
Olivia Burke