Olympic judge breaks silence on Raygun's score

Australian B-girl Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn took the world by storm with her performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with video of her writhing like a snake and hopping like a kangaroo going instantly viral.

Though the judges weren’t as enthused, awarding the cultural studies academic straight zeros for her efforts.

Speaking ahead of the closing ceremony, breaking head judge Martin Gilian, who performs as MGbility, said the score wasn’t a sign she did terribly, and said the breaking community “definitely stands behind her”.

“Breaking is all about originality and bringing something new to the table and representing your country or region,” he said.

“This is exactly what Raygun was doing. She got inspired by her surroundings, which in this case, for example, was a kangaroo.”

Raygun’s performance inspired and confused millions, though the head judge has thrown his support behind her. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesRaygun failed to score a single point in her competition. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

MGbility said there are five criteria the judges look at when making a decision, and Raygun’s level was “maybe not as high” as that of her competitors.

“But again, that doesn’t mean that she did really bad. She did her best. She won the Oceania qualifier,” he said.

“Unfortunately for her, the other B-girls were better”

At the same press conference, Sergey Nifontov, general secretary of the World Dancesport Federation, said the federation had offered support to Raygun in the wake of the strong social media response.

MGbility (centre) shared his support for Raygun at a press conference before the Closing Ceremony. Picture: InstagramSource: Instagram

“We offered support of our safeguarding officer,” he said.

“We are aware about what has happened, especially on social media, and definitely we should put the safety of the athlete, in this case, mental safety in first place.

“She has us as a federation supporting her.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also offered up his support on Sunday.

“Good on her and a big shout-out to her. That is in the Australian tradition of people having a go. She’s had a go representing our country and that’s a good thing,” Mr Albanese said.

“The Olympics is about people participating in sport. That’s a good thing and Raygun had a crack.

“Whether (athletes have) won gold medals or just done their best, that is all we ask for. It’s the participating that is really important.”

Breakdancing has been cut from the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, but could be included at Brisbane in 2023.