By Humberto Viera
19 Jul 2024, 10:40 AM EDT
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are about to begin, and as is tradition at each edition, there will be new features in the sports programme. This time, a new sport is being introduced: breaking, also known as breakdancing.
According to EFE, breaking is an urban dance that is part of hip hop culture. It originated in the United States in the 1970s and reached its peak popularity in the 1980s with films such as “Flashdance,” “Breakin’” and “Beat Street.”
After its debut at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games, breaking is now established as an official Olympic sport at Paris 2024. There will be 16 athletes competing in each category, male and female, with a maximum of two representatives per country per gender. Unlike the Youth Games, competitors must be of legal age, born before 31 December 2008.
Breaking will be contested in two individual tournaments, without team competitions as in Buenos Aires 2018. The three best athletes in each category will receive gold, silver and bronze medals.
In addition to breaking, Paris 2024 will continue five sports that were introduced in Tokyo 2020: sport climbing, surfing, skateboarding, BMX freestyle cycling and 3×3 basketball. It is worth noting that the surfing competition will not be held in Paris itself, but on the island of Tahiti, located 15,700 kilometres away.
The addition of breaking to the Olympic programme aims to attract a younger audience and integrate new generations into the Olympic movement. This sport, full of energy, acrobatics and creativity, will undoubtedly bring a fresh and exciting touch to the Paris 2024 Games.
Keep reading:
–Mbappé reveals the reason why he speaks Spanish: “I knew I would play for Real Madrid”
–Fans sue Conmebol and Hard Rock Stadium over chaotic Copa America final
–“It is a direct attack on the French people”: Former captain of the French national team critical of Argentina