The Australian Olympic Committee has condemned an anonymous online petition that repeats falsehoods about how B-girl Rachael “Raygun” Gunn was selected to compete at the Paris Games.

Matt Carroll, the chief executive of the AOC, said the petition – which also criticised Australia’s chef de mission, Anna Meares – was “disgraceful” and amounted to bullying and harassment.

The petition, which has amassed more than 45,000 signatures, alleged Gunn had “manipulated” the selection process to her own advantage, and questioned whether Gunn’s husband was part of the selection panel.

But Carroll said the petition contained numerous “disgraceful” falsehoods and was designed to “engender hatred” towards Gunn, who he said was selected in a transparent and independent process. He said he had written to change.org “demanding” the petition be withdrawn immediately.

“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,” Carroll said in a statement.

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