Breakdance debuts at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will add an electrifying twist to the historic Summer Olympic schedule with the inclusion of break dancing, or “Breaking,” in the summer’s historic schedule. The hip-hop-inspired dance discipline is the only new event making its debut in Paris in 2024. Breaking will be dramatically charged for the Games, with athletes showcasing epic athletic moves, creative routines, and complex choreography. Breaking is no newcomer to the world stage, first making its international debut in the 1990s and debuting at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Becoming an official Olympic event truly brings the electrifying art form of Breaking to the world stage.

This modern dance form originated in the Bronx in the early 1970s in the wake of the hip-hop movement. By incorporating athletic movements such as toprock, footwork, power moves, and freezes, breaking has evolved into a unique dance category that is perfectly suited to enhance and inspire the Paris Olympics. Breaking’s Olympic debut is a historic moment for both the sport and the Olympics. At the same time, by celebrating the rich history of hip-hop culture and dance, it will bring a fresh and dynamic element to the Games. Breaking’s inclusion in the Olympics reflects the Games’ evolutionary goals as it celebrates diverse cultures and seeks to appeal to a younger audience.

Breaking will take place on August 9 and 10 at Paris’ Place de la Concorde, and the competition will feature 16 female and 16 male Breakers. Both days are organized in a round robin format, with competitors competing in one-minute “Battles.” The top two from each group advance to the quarterfinals, where the winners advance to the semifinals, which culminate in a best-of-three final round. Each “Battle” is scored by a panel of judges who evaluate how the competitors execute their moves and techniques, but also how they express themselves and the art of Breaking. Judges award points in the following six categories:

1. Creativity

2. Personality

3. Diversity

4. Technique

5. Performativity

6. Musicality

August 9

 Women’s Qualifiers (B-Girl): 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST

 Women’s Final (B-Girl): 2:00–4:00 PM ET

August 10

 Men’s Qualifying (B-Boy): 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST

 Men’s Final (B-Boy): 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST

Breaking Team USA

The United States will be represented in Breaking by two male and two female competitors:

Men

 Victor Montalvo (Victor)

 Jeffrey Louis (Jeffro)

Women

 Sunny Choi (Sunny)

 Logan Edra (Logistx)

Consider reaching out to the Breaking community. Many local dance studios offer breakdancing classes and online tutorials that showcase the artistry and physicality of Breaking. Organizations like Breaking Boundaries Foundation (“BBF“)were created to highlight the importance of this sport and all it offers to individuals and communities.

After watching a film about the art of breakdancing, Japanese-American philanthropist Scott Oki became fascinated with breakdancing. He teamed up with Jerome Aparis, a two-time world breakdancing champion, to found Breaking Boundaries Foundation. Aparis serves as Executive Director, and Scott is Chairman. Aparis said. “We give back. That’s always been our core. That’s always been the mission and the vision, to give back to the community. And now with Breaking Boundaries and Scott Oki and an amazing team, we can grow and we’re excited.”

Breaking Boundaries Foundation empowers youth by offering a platform to delve into breaking boundaries. Through dance, we strive to provide an escape, a sense of fulfillment, and a community where boundaries, both in dance and in life, are meant to be broken. At Breaking Boundaries Foundation, dance is not just a form of expression; it is a lifeline, a bridge to self-confidence, and a tool for personal evolution. With passion and hard work at its core, BBF is a testament to the transformative power of breaking, illuminating a path for countless young people to break their own boundaries. “Breaking is very accessible, which makes it particularly attractive to those who are often excluded from traditional sports and the institutions that support them, either because they don’t fit in or because they can’t afford club fees, kit or equipment. This accessibility will help the Olympic Games achieve one of its main goals: to include and inspire a wider cross-section of society.”