top of page

Breaking Takes Center Stage at Paris 2024: The Olympic Debut of a Hip-Hop Legacy

profile photo.webp

Dallas Hughes

Aug 9, 2024

What is breaking? Olympic Games' newest sport explained including scoring and rules

Breaking Debuts at Paris 2024: A Hip-Hop Legacy Goes Olympic

Breaking, also known as breakdancing, is making its Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Summer Games. This sport, rooted in hip-hop culture from the Bronx in the 1970s, features a combination of athletic and artistic moves, including spins, flips, and complex body movements. The competitions are taking place at La Concorde in Paris, with separate events for men (b-boys) on August 10 and women (b-girls) on August 9.


The events are structured as head-to-head battles where breakers perform to music chosen by DJs. Judges evaluate the performances based on criteria like musicality, originality, technique, and execution. Interestingly, unlike other judged sports, there isn't a traditional scoring system. Instead, judges use a digital slider to select the winner of each battle.


Breaking was introduced to attract a younger audience and reflect the urbanization of sports, similar to skateboarding and surfing, which debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. However, breaking is not scheduled to return in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, although its future in the Games beyond 2024 is still being discussed​ (The Mirror)​ (AS USA)​ (Washington Examiner).

Faith Kipyegon smiling and pointing as she crosses the finish line during a women's 1500m race, with other runners trailing behind.

5 Kenyan Olympic Record Holders Poised for Paris Glory

Kenya

| Athletics

Moroccan football players celebrate in front of a cheering crowd dressed in red, following a goal during an Olympic match against Argentina. The stadium in Saint Etienne is filled with enthusiastic fans waving flags and showing support.

Morocco Secures Controversial Victory Over Argentina Amid Olympic Crowd Chaos

Morocco

| Football

Super Eagles Drop in Latest FIFA Rankings

Nigeria

| FIFA Rankings

Kylian Mbappe wearing a white jersey with the 'Qatar Airways' logo, captured mid-air performing an acrobatic kick during a football match, with blurred players and a goalkeeper in the background.

Kylian Mbappe Tasked with Breaking Cristiano Ronaldo's Record at Real Madrid

| Football

bottom of page