The Inclusion of Breaking in the 2024 Olympic Games: How New Sports Make the Cut

The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are set to make history with the debut of breaking (or breakdancing) as an Olympic sport. This exciting addition follows the introduction of surfing, skateboarding, and sports climbing in the Tokyo Games held in 2021.

According to a report by The Indian Express, India is gearing up for a bid to host the 2036 Olympics in Ahmedabad, with plans to include yoga, Twenty20 cricket, kabaddi, chess, squash, and kho kho in the sports lineup.

But how exactly are new sports selected for the Olympic Games? The International Olympic Committee (IOC) plays a crucial role in determining the sports programme for each edition of the Games. The criteria for a sport to be included in the Olympics include being governed by recognized International Federations, adhering to the Olympic Charter, the World Anti-Doping Code, and the Olympic Movement Code for the Prevention of Tampering in Competition.

The introduction of the Olympic Agenda 2020 in 2014 brought about changes in the selection process for Olympic sports, aiming to make the Games more appealing while managing costs and complexity. The host nation also has a say in suggesting new sports for inclusion, as seen in the Tokyo 2020 Games where surfing, karate, sport climbing, skateboarding, and baseball/softball were added.

Paris 2024 is set to showcase breaking as a new Olympic sport, described as an urban dance style with roots in hip-hop culture. The competition will feature 16 boys and girls battling it out in 1v1 “battles” to music at La Concorde on August 9 and 10, 2024.

With the Olympics constantly evolving to include new and exciting sports, the 2024 Games in Paris promise to be a thrilling and innovative event for athletes and spectators alike.