Just on Raygun, mind if I have the final word?

Who is that fearless they'll dance solo in front of the entire world?

Fair dinkum, that’s courage and a half. 

I don’t even have it in me to dance at a party or wedding. 

But yeah, let’s have a crack at her for it.  

I’m all for free speech (not hate speech), and constructive criticism from the right people is important because it helps us improve, but the response to Raygun's performance at the Paris Olympics has been disgraceful. 

And without any thought of the consequences. 

Raygun has been repeatedly bullied over the past week with no thought for her wellbeing, nor that of her parents and family, nor the hundreds (potentially thousands) of young girls who are breakdancing in the hope of becoming as good as her. 

What do you think is going through their young minds at the moment? If they wanted to quit because of the way their hero has been treated, would you blame them? 

I overheard a friend’s ten-year-old daughter tell her mum yesterday she and her friends have stopped practicing dance routines at lunchtime at school, because a group of boys said they looked stupid, "like Raygun."

That’s how far our hate can travel. 

So if you’re a troll, change your ways, or if you know one, have a conversation with them about the effect words can have on someone, even when they’re written on a screen. 

It's never too late to change - from hurtful and ill-informed to measured and respectful.

For what it's worth, I reckon Raygun is a star, and while it sadly won't be at an Olympic Games, I hope we see plenty more of a her in the future.