Breaking : One Approval Away to Becoming an Official Game of the Paris 2024 Olympic
July 4, 2019
Breaking, the inimitable, athletic style of dancing popularized by African American street dancers in the 1970s, is just one step away from becoming an official Olympic game in the Paris 2024 meet.
After a request to add breaking was put forward by the organizers of the Paris 2024, members of the International Olympic Programme Committee endorsed the request last February, 2019.
IOC President Thomas Bach said they have given their endorsement to include the Paris request in their Olympic Agenda in the December 2020 IOC Session; seeing that
”the inclusion of the dance will contribute to making the programme more gender balanced, more urban, and at the same time, offering opportunity to connect with the younger generation.””The inclusion of breaking as an Olympic sport will enhance the overall dynamic concept of Paris 2024… inclusivity, inspiring a new audience and hosting socially responsible Games.”
The IOC Programme Committee though still has to undertake the customary vetting process in preparation for discussions in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in December 2020.
Actually, breaking is only one of four games proposed by the Paris 2024 officials. The other three include skateboarding, surfing and sport climbing. Except for breaking, all three will debut in the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.
https://youtu.be/mq-DGPr3fRI
Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 committee said they are about to start searching for a venue, now that members of the Olympics Programme Committee have bestowed their approval. Mr.Estanguet remarked,
“It is important for us in our concept to put sports out of the stadium and in the heart of the city.”
About Breaking
Breaking was originated by early 1970s, African American youngsters of The Bronx in New York. As a street dance, proponents prefer to call it breaking or b-boying. It was only the mainstream media that gave the term break dancing; but in a somewhat derogatory manner in describing the nearly acrobatic style of dancing that was growing in popularity throughout the country.
Breaking activities later led to turn-based, b-boying battles between b-boys or breakers, whilst encircled by spectators; including judges who chose a winner based on skills, creativity and musicality.
It should also be clear that breaking does not include other hip-hop dance styles like locking, popping and electric boogaloo. Breaking consists mainly of four types of movements: toprock, downrock, freezes and proper moves, performed using funk, hip-hop, soul or breakbeat songs mainly with drum beats. Still, modern b-boying now allows other varieties of music and beat patterns.