Breaking Hits the Olympics: A New Era of Dance Competition in Paris

Exciting news for dance fans! The 2024 Paris Olympics will feature breaking, which many know as breakdancing. This addition marks a fresh wave of sports trying to grab the attention of younger audiences, following other cool sports like skateboarding and surfing that were part of the last Summer Games in Tokyo.

Breaking is the only new sport in Paris, but interestingly, it’s not part of the lineup for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. This means it could be a one-time event at the Olympics, making it even more special for competitors and fans alike.

In the Olympics, the breaking competitions will take the form of thrilling one-on-one battles. Each B-boy or B-girl will face off, trying to impress nine judges with their moves. With multiple rounds in each battle, they’ll showcase powerful acrobatic spins and flips, alongside stylish “top rocking” dance elements displayed while standing.

Judges will look at several aspects, including creativity and how well the dancers interact with the music. Every round will be set to hip-hop, but competitors will have no clue what the tempo or style will be until they hit the dance floor. This makes each battle exciting as they need to think on their feet!

Victor Montalvo, competing as B-boy Victor, qualified for Paris after winning the world championships in Belgium this year. He’s been dancing for over a decade and is seen as one of the best in the breaking world. Joining him is B-boy Jeffro, who snagged a late spot in the competition.

On the women’s side, Team USA will be represented by Sunny Choi, also known as B-girl Sunny, and Logan Edra, or B-girl Logistx. Choi recently won the Pan American Games, while Edra has had notable achievements in Red Bull’s international breaking competition, BC One.

Breaking has its roots in the Bronx, New York, making the U.S. a powerhouse in this sport. But competitors from Japan, including the seasoned B-boy Shigekix, are also strong contenders and are expected to clinch at least one medal in Paris. Other countries like Canada, China, France, and the Netherlands could also be in the medal chase.

Fans will be able to catch all the breaking action live on E!. The women will kick things off on Friday at 10:30 a.m. ET, with the finals starting at 2 p.m. ET. The men will have their turn on Saturday at the same times.