Breaking or breakdancing, a new sport in Olympics

WHO would have expected this to become a sport? The 2024 Paris Olympics continue to excite supporters, as they will introduce a new sport to town this summer: breaking, popularly known as breakdancing. 

The newly revealed sport is a dancing discipline that emerged in the United States in the 1970s. Breaking first gained popularity on the streets of New York City’s Bronx borough. 

Photo Courtesy: Olympics

According to the Paris Olympics, breaking is “characterized by acrobatic movements, stylised footwork and the key role played by the DJ and the MC (master of ceremonies) during battles,” with its roots in hip-hop culture. 

Some of the moves would likely leave the audiences in awe of their unpredictability, as these athletes twist and turn as if they were on a board. 

A brief history of competitions

The worldwide competitions began in the 1990s, popularizing the dance form in both hip-hop circles and the broader public. 

However, breaking is not new in the Olympics. It debuted in the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in 2018. 

Following an outstandingly successful debut at the Games in Argentina, breaking was added as a new sport to the Paris 2024 Olympic program. According to NBC Olympics, it drew more than one million viewers, considerably exceeding many other sports. 

Photo Courtesy: Olympics

The Olympics called it an “outstanding success,” and now the organizers and competitors seek to bring that charm to the greatest platform in sports. 

Breaking joins several emerging sports on the Olympic program, including surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing, all of which were added for the first time at the 2020 Tokyo Games. 

Overview of the rules

The breaking competition in Paris will be split into two events. There will be separate events for men and women on August 9 and 10 at La Concorde Urban Park. 

According to the Paris Olympics, 16 B-boys and 16 B-girls will face off in “spectacular solo battles.” 

The participants will demonstrate their greatest movements as they attempt to keep up with the pace of the DJ’s tracks, improvising steps in the battle with a combination of “power moves.” 

Windmills, the 6-step, and freezes are among the events featured at the Paris Olympics. The judges will then vote based on creativity, personality, technique, variety, performativity, and musicality.

Making way for the first breakaway medalists in Olympic history. 

As the Olympic movement expands, so does its reach. Creating the largest stage in sports and expanding the reach of destinations for young dreamers.