For the first time in Olympic history, break dancing, or “breaking,” will make its debut as a medal sport at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, according to the Olympics website. This iconic dance form, which originated in the vibrant streets of the Bronx in the 1970s, is set to captivate a global audience with its blend of athleticism, artistry, and urban culture.

Breaking, rooted in hip-hop culture, began as a powerful expression during lively block parties in New York City. It combines acrobatic movements, stylized footwork, and the important role of the DJ and MC (master of ceremonies) in battles. The dance style, which includes breathtaking power moves like windmills, the 6-step, and freezes, quickly gained popularity. By the 1990s, international competitions helped break dance gain recognition beyond hip-hop communities and into the mainstream.

The Paris 2024 Olympics will showcase breaking in two distinct events: one for men (B-Boys) and one for women (B-Girls). Sixteen competitors in each category will face off in solo battles, where they’ll need to impress judges with their creativity and technical prowess. Each battle will see B-Boys and B-Girls performing their moves to the beat of the DJ’s tracks, blending improvisation with their signature style to win coveted Olympic medals.

The road to the Olympics has been highly competitive. France, as the host nation, secured two spots (one for each gender) through host quotas. Additionally, four Universality places (two per gender) were available. To earn a Universality spot, athletes had to compete in the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) and finish in the top 24 of the final rankings.

The remaining 26 athletes qualified through a combination of last year’s world championships, continental Games (Africa, Asia, Europe, Pan Am, and Oceania), and the OQS events held in Shanghai and Budapest earlier this summer.

According to the Team USA website, the nation will be represented by several talented breaking athletes at Paris 2024:

Victor Montalvo of Kissimmee, FL, a Gateway High School graduate, will compete in the B-Boys category.

Sunny Choi from Queens, NY, a Wharton School of Business student, has secured her spot in the B-Girls category.

Logan Edra of San Diego, CA, will represent the U.S. in the B-Boys category.

Jeffrey Louis (featured in cover photo) from Houston, TX, a Westside High School and University of Houston alumnus, has qualified as a B-Boy.

The inclusion of breaking in the Olympics follows its successful debut at the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in 2018. The overwhelming response to breaking in Argentina demonstrated the dance form’s universal appeal and its capacity to resonate with diverse audiences. This enthusiasm paved the way for breaking to be featured prominently in the Paris 2024 Games.

The competition schedule for breaking at Paris 2024 is as follows:

• August 9
  • 10:00 – B-Girls Pre-Qualifier Battle
  • 14:00 – B-Girls Quarterfinals
  • 14:45 – B-Girls Semifinals
  • 15:15 – B-Girls Finals
• August 10
  • 14:45 – B-Boys Semifinals
  • 15:15 – B-Boys Finals

The 2024 Paris Games marks a new chapter for breaking, affirming its place in the world’s most prestigious sporting event and honoring its rich heritage in hip-hop culture. For more information about the breaking events and to follow the competition live, visit the official Olympic website.