If head spins, windmills, and even elbow spins are your thing then you’ll want to be tuning into the 2024 Paris Olympics because breakdancing is officially becoming an Olympic sport.
If the movie Step Up is the basis for your knowledge of breakdancing then you’re in for quite a surprise.
In yet another indication of the International Olympic Committee’s efforts to attract viewers from different subcultures, ‘breaking’ will make its debut at the 2024 edition of the Summer Games.
Sports such as skateboarding, BMX, and rock climbing all made their debut appearances at the Tokyo games.
And ‘breaking’ will follow suit in an attempt to attract younger viewers.
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So for those not completely aware of the rules, this is how it will work.
Competitors will battle each other one-on-one in duels with each participant taking turns in a ‘throw-down’.
A DJ will lay down a tune and a competitor will have 60 seconds to respond and adapt their moves to the music.
Their opponent will try to outdo them in some way, with competitors going round for round against each other.
And performances won’t just be based simply on how ‘cool’ they look.
The ‘Trivium system’ will see officials judge the participants based on ‘body’, ‘mind’, and ‘soul’.
‘Body’ will refer to the physical moves laid down by the competitor.
‘Mind’ will be the creativity a competitor has in response to the music and the opposition’s dance moves.
And ‘soul’ will be the interpretive flair and style associated with the moves.
The battles are also more tactical than one may assume.
Competitors will analyse their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and adapt their routine to showcase the other’s flaws.
Berlin-based dancer Niels Robitzky told Fast Company: “If I know that your weakness is footwork, for instance, I’d do some footwork because I’d know you wouldn’t be able to respond.”
With the growing popularity of the sport over the past few decades it will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talents on a whole new platform.
Topics: Olympics
Jayden Collins