When the spotlight fell on Rachael Gunn, also known as “Raygun,” at the Paris Olympics, no one could have anticipated the whirlwind of reactions that would follow. As breaking, or breakdancing, made its much-anticipated debut at the Games, Gunn’s routine quickly became the talk of the town. However, the discussion was not all in favor of Raygun’s hopes and dreams. Decked out in a dark green and gold tracksuit, representing her Australian roots, Gunn took to the stage with a performance that garnered mixed reactions from fans.

Gunn’s conventional moves, like the chin-assisted floor squirm and the kangaroo hop, sparked a viral sensation, propelling her from an unknown dancer to a social media sensation. While Rachael Gunn’s Paris Olympics journey may have ended in disappointment, her antics caught the attention of another iconic figure, the beloved mascot of the University of Tennessee. With a playful spirit and unwavering support of the Volunteers, Smokey decided to channel Gunn’s infamous moves in a lighthearted nod that has since taken the internet by storm. 

The live mascot, who usually dons his signature checkered vest, swapped his traditional antics for a comedic re-enactment of Gunn’s Paris Olympics viral performance. The mascot’s performance wasn’t just a hit among Tennessee’s faithful, but it soon started to make waves in the sports community. Fans began to buzz about Smokey’s latest antics. And it’s clear that this playful nod to Gunn’s controversial Olympic debut has only cemented the mascot’s status as a beloved and iconic figure in American sports culture. 

Besides fans, the Olympian herself acknowledged Smokey’s playful jab and posted the same on her social media handles. Netizens couldn’t get enough of the unexpected tribute, with social media lighting up in response to Smokey’s path-breaking dance moves. Fans who had been following the breaking debut at the Olympics could resonate with the honest try of Smokey, who pulled off a few moves masterfully. Moreover, such an act highlighted the mascot’s knack for staying relevant and engaging with contemporary events.

Who did it better? Smokey and Rachel Gunn’s Paris Olympics moves enthrall fans!

One fan humorously suggested that the University of Tennessee’s mascot, Smokey, deserves a gold medal for his comedic re-enactment of Rachael Gunn’s infamous Paris Olympics breaking performance. “Give Smokey the Gold!”, wrote the netizen. They found Smokey’s playful mimicry so entertaining that they jokingly implied it outshined the actual competition, warranting top honors. Moreover, Gunn was ridiculed by many for her moves and the performance of the mascot has just added another layer to it. Gunn was mocked even in the popular show, Tonight’s Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and was subjected to criticism.

Another user took the moment to praise the University of Tennessee’s teams for their creativity. The comment read, “This is gold 😆. Whoever works at UT in the marketing, entertainment, media departments gotta be elite national talent. They. Don’t. Miss. 💪🍊”. 

Another response from an X user read, “I mean wow. This literally made me laugh out loud. Smokey is the best,” reflected the widespread amusement that has been sparked by Smokey’s playful re-enactment of Rachael Gunn’s viral Paris Olympics performance. The University of Tennessee mascot’s light-hearted parody has now made a special place in fans’ hearts. 

The University of Tennessee’s mascot performed so well in his reenactment of Rachael Gunn’s viral Olympic breakdancing routine that many suggested he could have competed in the actual Paris Olympics and won a gold medal. “Soooo awesome. Smokey should’ve be tried out for the Olympics. Gold!!!!”, commented a netizen. The Australian breakdancer became a topic of trolling for netizens after her Olympics performance. Although she did not win any medal, Raygun still made it to Paris as an Olympian from Australia. This might have provoked fans to ask Smokey to participate in the Olympics.

One user shared a personal opinion and mentioned that the mascot has pulled off Gunn’s steps better than she did at the Olympics. They further compared Rachel’s performance to awkward, amateurish efforts, akin to something they or their children might attempt. The comment read, “Except the dog did it with style. Unlike the Olympian who looks like what I would picture if myself or one of my kids tried to “break dance””. Rachael Gunn, who got mimicked by Smokey unfortunately scored a zero against three of her competitors in Paris. This too might have made fans resort to such comments.

As fans continue to buzz about Smokey’s latest antics, it’s clear that this playful nod to Gunn’s controversial Paris Olympics debut has only cemented the mascot’s status as a beloved and iconic figure in American sports culture. What are your thoughts on the same? Share with us in the comment section below!

Before you go, don’t forget to check out what one of America’s most talented volleyball players, Maddisen Skinner’s coach, reveals about his star student! EssentiallySports brings you this exclusive scoop in this week’s Think Tank episode.