This summer, dance fans will be on the edge of their seats awaiting the debut of the newest Olympic sport: breaking. But when the style takes the Olympic stage, how will the competition unfold, and what should viewers be looking for? Understanding the intricacies of the judging system—and how it’s been adjusted to work in the Olympics, while still honoring breaking’s history—offers a window into how an art form will be incorporated into one of the most-watched sporting events worldwide.

The Olympic Games are by no means the first worldwide breaking event. But they do mark the first time that a breaking competition is being put on in a big way for the general public, not just the breaking community itself.

American b-boys and b-girls talk about breaking becoming sport at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Is dance a sport ? Should it be in the Olympics? They’re complicated questions that tend to spark heated debate. But many dance fans will be excited to hear that breaking (please don’t call it breakdancing) has been provisionally added to the program for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. The announcement was made […]