Ariane Titmus reveals the lengths Aussie Olympians went to for Raygun to make their under-siege teammate feel loved

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Dual gold medal winner Ariarne Titmus has thrown her support behind Aussie breaker Raygun who has been mercilessly attacked on social media since her failed routine at the Paris Olympics.

The 36-year-old has been competitively breaking since 2012 and holds a PhD from Macquarie University on breaking culture, culminating in her selection for the Paris Olympics after winning her qualification event in Sydney.

However it all fell apart in Paris when her routine and attire were savaged online, leading to criticism from hordes of armchair critics on social media and even celebrities like Adele and Jimmy Fallon. 

Her unconventional routine, featuring kangaroo hops and an Australian-themed tracksuit, didn’t resonate well with the judges, earning her zero points across three battles at Place de La Concorde.

Despite facing heavy criticism on social media, Raygun became a beloved figure in the Olympic village. When the time came for the closing ceremony at Stade de France and the highly criticised breakdancer was the undeniable centre of attention.

Raygun lived her dream in Paris but was widely ridiculed for her performance at the Games

Dual gold medal winner Ariarne Titmus defended Raygun and she was 'heartbroken' for her

Titmus had a Games to remember in Paris and told Nova 100’s Jase & Lauren that she was 'heartbroken' over the treatment that Raygun was copping. 

'You kind of have to put yourself in her shoes,' Titmus said.

'We're all sure that she went there and did her best, she's not going to go to the Olympics and not do her best.

'If that was happening to me and I was copping that flak you would just be so upset and heartbroken.'

Raygun re-enacted the kangaroo hop on the shoulders of Aussie rower Angus Widdicombe and then broken into a fresh routine to the delight of the athletes.

Aussie diver Domonic Bedggood posted footage saying 'put it in the Louvre'. while Australian cyclist Lauretta Hanson also praised the moment online, calling it iconic. 

Aussie rower Angus Widdicombe hoisted Raygun onto his shoulders while the Aussie team formed a guard of honour to cheer her on

The Aussies created a breakdancing circle so Raygun could entertain them while they waited for the buses to the closing ceremony

And Titmus said that was the Aussie Olympian way, to rally around all of your teammates. 

'She's one of us, she's a teammate, she's on the Australian Olympic team so we all got around her,' she said.

'On the closing night, the lineups to the buses from the village was for four hours, down the village.'

'We were just on the road waiting, moving up a tiny bit every thirty minutes.

'So while we were waiting we would make like a breakdancing circle and we had speakers and a little path for her to go down.

'She was doing the kangaroo and everyone was getting around her and trying to make her laugh and trying to make her feel loved.

'She was definitely smiling that night and I think that was good.

'I just can't believe how much of a stir this has created, it's insane.

Raygun has been competitively dancing for 12 years and holds a PhD in the culture of the sport

Unfortunately for Raygun and the other breakers, the newly minted sport has alread been axed for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Breaking industry figures remain hopeful for a return in Brisbane in 2032 with Breaking Federation president Shawn Tay saying Paris had already elevated the profile of the dance battle.

'Right from the beginning we were warned that some of the breakers — the top breakers — may not take part,' Tay said.

'But now we have achieved to bring them all in — we have all the best breakers. Now they are fighting for the glory of their country — it's a totally different thing.

'And that's actually pushed them to improve so much, to work so hard in a more scientific way.'