Breakdancing is Making its Debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Breakdancing is set to make its Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games on Friday, August 9-10th. This new category, actually known as "breaking" promises to bring a fresh, street-smart vibe to the the Olympic tradition.

How did a dance style from back in the day and born in the Bronx make its way to the largest sporting event in the world?

Breaking is the first dance of hip-hop and emerged from the Bronx in 1973, where pioneers like DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash set the stage for a movement that would eventually captivate the globe. Fast forward to 2024 — Breaking has evolved into a highly competitive and intricate art form, attracting athletes and enthusiasts worldwide.

Breaking is one of the four core pillars of hip-hop, along with graffiti, DJing and MCing/rapping.

The push to include Breaking in the Olympics was part of a broader initiative to modernize the Games and attract a younger audience. In 2020, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially added Breaking to the Paris 2024 roster, along with other youth-focused sports like skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing.

What to Expect

The Olympic Breaking competition will feature both men's and women's events, with 16 B-Boys and 16 B-Girls battling it out. The format includes one-on-one battles judged on creativity, technique, and musicality. Expect explosive power moves, intricate footwork, and gravity-defying spins to hip-hop tracks.

The judges will consist of a mix of seasoned breakers and dance experts and they will evaluate the dancers based on six criteria: Creativity, Personality, Technique, Variety, Performativity, and Musicality. Each battle will include combinations of power moves including windmills, the 6-step and freezes showcasing each competitors’ uniqueness.

Click here for the schedule.

The inclusion of Breaking in the Olympics is a celebration of diversity and cultural exchange. Breaking resonates with a global audience — from the streets of New York to the barrios of Rio, from Tokyo's bustling neighborhoods to Parisian parks.

The Summer Olympics will provide a massive platform for the Breaking community, shining a spotlight on a culture that has often been marginalized. For many breakers, this is not just a chance to compete at the highest level but an opportunity to inspire and educate the world about the roots and significance of their craft.

The Future of Breaking

As we gear up for Paris 2024, the excitement within the Breaking community is palpable. Training sessions are intensifying, with dancers honing their skills and crafting routines that could potentially make history.

Beyond Paris, the future looks bright for Breaking. This year’s inclusion in the Olympics could pave the way for more mainstream recognition and support — opening doors for aspiring breakers and fostering the growth of the community worldwide.

The Paris 2024 Olympics will mark a historic chapter in the story of Breaking. From its humble beginnings on the streets of the Bronx to the global stage of the Olympics,

Breaking has come a long way.

As the world tunes in to watch these athletes spin, flip, and battle their way to glory, one thing is clear — Breaking is here to stay, and it's ready to take its rightful place among the greats of the sporting world.

The Olympic Games this year is not just about breaking records — it's about breaking boundaries.

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