Breakdancing at the Olympics
Breakdancing made its first appearance at the Olympics in Paris in 2024. It has not been included on the sports program for the 2028 Olympics in LA, so its Olympic history appears to be short lived.
Breakdancing is one Dancesport Competitive dancing (Dancesport) was one of 12 sports in 2015 which was initially considered for inclusion in the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games, but it did not survive the first cut. In February 2019, it was announced that Breakdancing was one of four sports (the others were: sport climbing, skateboarding and surfing) to be put forward for inclusion as additional sports on the program for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, and confirmed in December 2020.
2024 Paris Breaking Format
The Paris 2024 men's and women's breakdancing event involved head-to-head "battles" with 16 competitors in each competition, with the breakers split into four groups of four. The athletes in each group danced against each other. The two best breakers from each group progressed to the knockout stage.
The competitors are scored based on criteria such as technique, originality, musicality, and creativity, with judges evaluating each dancer's execution, style, and overall performance. Breaking is unique in that the competitors don’t know the music ahead of time, they must improvise their moves to the beat.
Should Breakdancing be at the Olympics?
There was widespread criticism when it was announced that breakdancing would be included at the 2024 Olympics. There is contention whether dancing is even a sport, though anyone who knows about the competitive form of dance will agree that fits the criteria of a sport. Dancesport has similarities to the Winter sport of ice dancing and figure skating, so it is not unreasonable to think that it is a feasible option for inclusion at the Olympics.
Trivia
- Breakdancing was part of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games program in Buenos Aires.
Related Pages
- POLL: Should breakdancing be at the Olympics?
- POLL: Which sport should be next included in the Olympic Games?
- List of Olympic Sports
- About the sports of Dancesport and Breakdancing
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