Get ready for plenty of jaw-dropping moments at the upcoming Paris Olympics as breakdancing makes its debut as an official sport. Athletes will be showcasing their skills with gravity-defying moves like “headspins,” “windmills,” and “freezes,” all set to music.
The sport, also known as breaking, gained massive popularity at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with over 1 million viewers tuning in. Now, the organizers and athletes are eager to bring that same excitement to the Olympic stage.
Jeffrey Louis, also known as B-Boy Jeffro and the fifth-ranked B-boy in the world, is a favorite for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. He sees this as an opportunity to educate people about breaking and showcase the art form to a global audience.
Breaking joins other new sports like surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing, added to the Olympic program to attract a younger audience. The International Olympic Committee hopes to inspire millions of kids worldwide to take up these sports.
The breaking competition in Paris will feature solo battles for both men and women, with 16 B-boys and 16 B-girls competing for the first breaking medals in Olympic history. Judges will vote on the best performances, determining the winners.
From its origins in the Bronx in the 1970s to its international resurgence today, breaking has evolved into a global cultural art form with elements of sport. With the U.S. leading the way in breaking, the Olympics are set to showcase the best breakers from around the world.