A petition calling for an investigation into breakdancer Rachael Gunn’s selection for the Olympics has “stirred up public hatred without any factual basis”, says the Australian Olympic Committee.
Gunn – who is known as B-girl Raygun – has been the subject of a social media storm since her performance in Paris a week ago.
The petition, which calls for an apology from Gunn, 36, as well as Australia’s Olympic chef de mission Anna Meares, now has over 50,000 signatures.
The petition says they should say sorry for “attempting to gaslight the public and undermining the efforts of genuine athletes.”
AOC chief executive Matt Carroll said the petition was “vexatious, misleading and bullying”.
He added: “No athlete who has represented their country at the Olympic Games should be treated in this way and we are supporting Dr Gunn and Anna Meares at this time.”
Carroll said the AOC had written to change.org demanding the petition be taken down immediately.
Gunn is a university lecturer from Sydney and lost all three of her round-robin battles by a combined score of 54-0.
Carroll highlighted that the Australian was selected through a transparent and independent qualification event and nomination process.
“The AOC is particularly offended by the affront to our chef de mission [team boss], Anna Meares,” he said.
“[Meares] 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.”
Former track cyclist Meares is a two-time Olympic champion who won medals at four consecutive Games – the only Australian to do so.
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