Raygun: Change.org petition to hold Rachel Gunn & Anna Meares accountable for ‘unethical conduct’ removed

A Change.org petition to ‘Hold Raygun Rachel Gunn & Anna Meares accountable for unethical conduct Olympic selection’ has been pulled down.

Users are no longer able to access the petition that took aim at the Aussie breakdancer who drew worldwide ridicule for her underwhelming performance at the Olympics.

Instead, people click through to a message that reads: “This petition isn’t available. Either the URL is incorrect, it violated our Community Guidelines, or the starter removed it.”

The petition had secured over 45,000 signatures before it was removed on Friday.

In a statement provided to The Nightly, Change.org said: ”The petition was flagged for misinformation and was reviewed according to our Community Guidelines. It has since been removed from the platform.”

“Change.org maintains strict guidelines against content that constitutes harassment, bullying, or spreading false information. We take such matters seriously and remove any content that violates these standards to protect our users and uphold the integrity of our community.”

It came after the Australian Olympic Committee on Thursday issued an explosive statement slamming the “disgraceful” bullying of Gunn.

Matt Carrol, CEO of the Australian Olympic Committee, wrote to Change.org demanding the petition be taken down, saying it was “appalling”.

“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,” Mr Carroll said.

“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.

“The petition has stirred up public hatred without any factual basis. It’s appalling. 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.

“It’s important that the community understands the facts and that people do not form opinions based on malicious untruths and misinformation.”

Raygun breaks silence

On Thursday evening, Gunn broke her silence, speaking about the reaction to her performance and the allegations of “unethical conduct”.

“I appreciate the positivity and I’m glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives that’s what I hoped,” the 36-year-old said in her post.

“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,” she said.

“I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics and I gave my all truly.

“I am honoured to have been a part of the Australian Olympic team and to be part of Breaking’s Olympic debut.”