By: Serena She

Scheduled for August 9 and 10, 2024, breaking is the newest addition to the Olympics. After fans deemed it a success in the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, the International Olympic Committee approved its inclusion in 2020.

Break dancing’s origins can be traced back to the United States in the 1970s. African American and Puerto Rican youth in The Bronx borough of New York would dance to the instrumental “break” sections of songs in the streets or parties. Competitions emerged in the 1990s, the largest being the Battle of the Year held in Germany. Breaking’s gain in international attention consequently caused the World DanceSport Federation to push for breaking in the Olympics.

As a form of hip-hop, it incorporates footwork standing up, acrobatics on the ground, and difficult poses called “freezes.” Beyond the technical moves, however, is the room for creativity and innovation. “I already knew the basics and I was at the level where I could begin creating my own moves,” says 17-year-old Lithuanian breaker Dominica Banevic. “This helped me craft my own unique style.”

Banevic, alongside 31 other contenders from over a dozen counties, will be breaking in La Concorde Urban Park, Paris, France. The contestants, known as B-boys or B-girls, do not know their music yet and must improvise a routine of around a minute in length. Men and women will be judged separately on their vocabulary, technique, execution, originality, musicality, as well as confidence and stage presence.

Breaking has been omitted from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but may be included in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, depending on its results in Paris.