Is Breakdancing an Olympic Sport in 2024?

By Jayson Panganiban July 17, 2024 09:47

Photo by Rene Nijhuis/BSR Agency/Getty Images

In the 1970s, breaking - also known as breakdancing- started at house parties in The Bronx, where DJ Kool Herc was widely seen as hip-hop's founder behind the decks. B-boys and B-girls danced to the percussion tracks used in music sections "breaking," so they performed this dance.

The 1980s saw the style popularized in motion pictures and music videos showcasing distinctly New York City glamour while appearing more broadly in television shows. Known for its athleticism and acrobatics, b-boying is a dance that involves intricate footwork, spins, freezes, static moves & power moves. Breakdancing tends to be done in "battles," where two dancers battle each other with their skill and style.

The relevance of breakdancing as a mean expression in the hip-hop movement, a symbol of strength, communication, and artistry, embodying human ingenuity to be their best selves while connecting with others in ways never before feasible. The dance has gone global, even spawning communities and specialized competitions around the world, such as in Japan, South Korea, France, and the United Kingdom, among others. Today, breakdancing symbolizes urban culture that shocks the viewer with its elasticity and energy.

Breakdancing and the 2024 Olympic Games

The campaign to get breakdancing recognized as an Olympic sport has been in the works for years. The International Dance Sport Federation (IDSF) extensively campaigned in favor of breakdancing for Olympic program inclusion, arguing that dance is a sport and highlighting the physicality and difficulty required to perform breakdance moves.

The sport's popularity, its appeal to youth, gender equality, and global spread are some of the factors examined. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been relatively open to this move as it looks to broaden its Olympic program with sports more in tune with young audiences and advancing systems of athleticism or competition.

Pros and Cons

The Advantages of Breakdancing Include

Proponents of adding breakdancing to the Olympics identify several possible upsides. A breakdancing debut could give the dance style a big chance to reach new audiences worldwide and highlight its acrobatics on an international stage through the Games' global platform. This will help dance gain exposure to a wider audience and spark youth interest in the sport.

The other case for breakdancing is simply that it appeals to the younger generation. With the Olympics looking to appeal more strongly to a younger global market and with them seeking new sports, breakdancing may fit within this objective. Despite the stylistic evolution, both athletic and creative values are core to the style of dance, which has strong cultural roots that resonate with contemporary youth culture. These are key factors in adding a modern, dynamic touch to the Olympics.

Challenges and Concerns

Breakdancing becoming an Olympic sport has also raised some criticisms and issues. One significant problem is that judging breakdancing contests remains a subjective process. Unlike traditional sports that have a specific numerical system for scoring, breakdancing is scored subjectively based on style, musicality, and creativity. Creating a system where judging criteria are standardized, fair, and transparent presents an enormous challenge.

There is also the matter of whether breakdancing would present a financial and logistical challenge to include in an Olympic program. Practical obstacles will be standard competition venues, training facilities, and particular equipment necessary- which may have a greater effect on low-resource countries. At the same time, balancing gender equality in terms of breakdancing worldwide would need more nuanced thought and solution-building.

Status and Outlook

The addition of breakdancing, skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing to the Olympic program reflects the IOC's strategy of incorporating creative and urban sports into the Games that appeal primarily to a younger audience. This is a momentous occasion for the sport of breakdancing, validating its cultural importance and athletic skill on an international level.

This is seen as a mark of heightening the profile of breakdancing in general, which should help attract more followers to b-boying while also increasing appreciation for its status as a recognized athletic endeavor. Making it to the stage of the Olympics has promise for more exposure in breakdancing, inspiring and empowering future b-boys and girls, and promoting diversity and inclusivity within sports.

All in all

Breakdancing in the 2024 Olympic Games is a major milestone for dance and athletics as a whole. It will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of Olympians from across the globe and enhance their ability to promote brotherhood, peace, and well-being through the practice of sport.