AOC Condemns Petition Against Rachael Gunn

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has condemned an anonymous online petition targeting breakdancer Rachael Gunn, also known as 'Raygun', which has garnered over 55,000 signatures calling for an investigation into her Olympic selection. The AOC characterized the petition as 'vexatious, misleading, and bullying', asserting that it contains numerous falsehoods designed to undermine Gunn's legitimacy and engender public hatred. Matt Carroll, AOC's CEO, stated that Gunn was chosen through a transparent qualification process and emphasized that the petition's claims are defamatory. Gunn, a university lecturer, performed poorly in the Olympic breaking competition, failing to score any points, which led to a social media backlash and parody performances. The AOC has demanded the immediate removal of the petition from change.org and voiced support for both Gunn and chef de mission Anna Meares, who also faced criticism. This incident has sparked broader discussions about the treatment of athletes in the public eye and the implications of online petitions.