Breakdancing, also known as breaking or b-boying/b-girling, is the newest sport to be included in the Olympics. It will be making its debut at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
Breaking: How it was started
Breaking gained international recognition with the advent of competitions in the 1990s, a development that propelled the dance style into popularity within both hip-hop circles and the broader public.
Originating in the United States during the 1970s, breaking is an urban dance style deeply rooted in hip-hop culture. It emerged amidst the vibrant block parties of the Bronx borough in New York City. Breaking is distinguished by its acrobatic maneuvers, stylized footwork, and the pivotal roles of the DJ and MC (master of ceremonies) during competitive battles.
Why breaking became an Olympic sport?
Breakdancing, also famous as breaking or b-boying/b-girling, became an Olympic sport for a few key reasons:
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Reaching a Younger Audience: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) wanted to attract a wider and younger demographic to the Games. Breakdancing’s global popularity, energetic style, and association with hip-hop culture made it a perfect candidate.
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Global Phenomenon: With millions of participants worldwide, breakdancing offered a sport with a massive existing fanbase.
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Athleticism & Accessibility: Breakdancing requires impressive physical prowess – strength, power, coordination, and agility. Plus, it’s accessible as it needs minimal equipment – just a flat surface and music!
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Art Form Recognition: The inclusion of breaking signifies growing recognition of hip-hop culture as a legitimate art form.
Breaking made its debut on the global stage at the Summer Youth Olympic Games held in Buenos Aires in 2018, captivating audiences with its electrifying performances. The event showcased the immense talent and creativity within the breaking community, leading to widespread acclaim and recognition.
Building upon its remarkable success in Argentina, breaking as a sport garnered significant attention and was subsequently included as a new sport in the official program of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This historic decision marked a milestone for breaking, solidifying its status as a respected and celebrated art form within the Olympic movement.
Rules of Breaking at Summer Olympics 2024
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will feature a thrilling breaking competition consisting of two events—one dedicated to men and another to women. Each event will showcase 16 skilled B-Boys and 16 talented B-Girls engaging in captivating solo battles. These athletes will display a dazzling array of power moves, such as windmills, the 6-step, and freezes, all while dynamically adapting their styles and improvising to the DJ’s beats. Their goal is to impress the judges, earn their votes, and ultimately claim the inaugural Olympic breaking medals.
To summarize:
- The breaking competition in Plympic games features two distinct events: one for men and one for women.
- Each event will showcase 16 skilled B-Boys and 16 talented B-Girls competing in captivating solo battles.
- Athletes will demonstrate a diverse range of power moves, including windmills, the 6-step, and freezes.
- They will dynamically adapt their styles and improvise to the beats of the DJ’s tracks during their performances.
- The goal is to impress the judges, secure their votes, and ultimately claim the first-ever Olympic breaking medals.
Schedule of Breaking competitions
The timetable for Breaking competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympics
Day 1: August 09, B-Girls | Breaking Paris 2024
Day 2: August 09, B-Boys | Breaking Paris 2024
