The world of breaking is making history as it debuts at the 2024 Paris Olympics, bringing the energy and artistry of this unique dance form to the global stage. On August 9 and 10, B-boys and B-girls from around the world will compete in the men’s and women’s events at La Concorde, the urban park that has already hosted BMX freestyle and skateboarding competitions. This marks a significant milestone for the breaking community, which has long been part of global competitions but is now recognized at the highest level of sports.
Breaking at the 2024 Olympics: What You Need to Know
Breaking, often mistakenly called “breakdancing,” originated in the 1970s within the Black and brown communities of the Bronx, New York. It emerged as a peaceful alternative to gang violence, with dancers battling each other through intricate and powerful moves set to the “breaks” in songs. DJ Kool Herc, a pioneer of hip-hop, played a crucial role in the development of breaking, extending the percussive breaks in tracks to give dancers more time to showcase their skills.
The main elements of breaking are straightforward: Toprock involves standing moves, downrock is performed on the floor, freezes are held poses, and power moves include acrobatic spins and flips. These moves will be on full display as the world’s top breakers compete for Olympic gold.
Why It’s Not Called “Breakdancing”
While the term “breakdancing” became popular in mainstream media, it’s often seen as a misrepresentation by those within the culture. The word was coined by the media and can sometimes wrongly describe other street-dance styles. True practitioners prefer the term “breaking” to honor the dance’s roots and cultural significance. As Victor “B-Boy Victor” Montalvo, a top contender for the U.S. men’s event, puts it, the term “breakdancing” is considered “corny” by many in the community.
How Breaking Is Judged at the Olympics
Breaking competitions at the Olympics are judged based on five key criteria: Originality, Technicality, Vocabulary, Execution, and Musicality. Competitors will face off in best-of-three rounds called “throwdowns,” where they have 60 seconds to showcase their skills to live beats by DJ Fleg from New York or DJ Plash from Poland. A panel of nine judges will assess each battle in real time, moving digital sliders to indicate which dancer is excelling in each category.
Team USA’s Contenders
The United States has four athletes competing in the breaking events: Sunny “B-Girl Sunny” Choi and Logan “Logistx” Edra in the women’s event, and Victor “B-Boy Victor” Montalvo and Jeffrey “B-Boy Jeffro” Louis in the men’s event. These athletes are among 16 men and 16 women representing over a dozen countries, all vying for the first-ever Olympic medals in breaking.
The Significance of Breaking at the Olympics
Breaking’s inclusion in the 2024 Olympics comes after its successful appearance at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires. While it’s not yet confirmed for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, its debut in Paris is seen as a crucial step towards solidifying its place in future Olympic lineups. Some within the breaking community worry that the Olympics might dilute the art form’s essence, but many also see it as a golden opportunity for greater recognition and growth.
Luis “Prevail” Toledo, a New York-based breaker, sees the Olympics as a positive development. “I’m happy and grateful for the people that are up there doing it,” says Toledo, who frequently trains with Olympic contenders and believes the spotlight on breaking will create more opportunities within the community.
When and Where to Watch Breaking at the Olympics
Fans can watch the breaking events live on Peacock or NBCOlympics.com. The schedule is as follows (all times ET):
Friday, August 9
- 10 a.m.–12:10 p.m.: Women’s Qualification
- 2 p.m.: Women’s Quarterfinals
- 2:45 p.m.: Women’s Semifinals
- 3:15 p.m.: Women’s Bronze-Medal Battle
- 3:23 p.m.: Women’s Gold-Medal Battle
Saturday, August 10
- 10 a.m.–12:10 p.m.: Men’s Qualification
- 2 p.m.: Men’s Quarterfinals
- 2:45 p.m.: Men’s Semifinals
- 3:15 p.m.: Men’s Bronze-Medal Battle
- 3:23 p.m.: Men’s Gold-Medal Battle
In New York, breaking enthusiasts can join live watch parties, such as the one at the Ladies of Hip-Hop studio in Queens, where attendees can dance along during commercial breaks.
How to Stay Engaged with Breaking After the Olympics
If the Olympic breaking events spark your interest, you can continue to follow the scene at local competitions or global events like the Red Bull BC One World Final, set for December 7 in Rio de Janeiro. For those inspired to start breaking, many dance studios offer beginner classes, and there are weekly practice sessions open to all in New York.
As Toledo says, “The cool thing about this community is everyone’s very helpful and always wants you to be comfortable.” So whether you’re a seasoned breaker or a curious newbie, there’s a place for you in the world of breaking.
News Source: vulture
