Why Is It Called ‘Breaking’ & Not ‘Breakdancing’ at the Olympics 2024? Explained

Why Is It Called ‘Breaking’ & Not ‘Breakdancing’ at the Olympics 2024? Explained

As a seasoned gamer who’s been through the era of Dance Dance Revolution and Just Dance, I must say, it’s about time Breaking, or breakdancing as mainstream media calls it, made its grand entrance on the Olympic stage! The 2024 Paris Olympics might as well be called the “Breaking Games” for me.


At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the dance form often recognized as breakdancing, more commonly known as “Breaking,” has been officially recognized as a sport. Previously, it showcased its debut at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The reason for its name change at the Olympics might be puzzling to some, so let’s explore why it’s called Breaking instead of breakdancing.

Difference between ‘Breaking’ and ‘breakdancing’ explained

As a passionate enthusiast, I can’t help but share why the upcoming event at the 2024 Olympics has been dubbed “Breaking.” It’s not just any name; it’s a term deeply embedded in hip-hop culture. Contrary to the more mainstream label of “breakdancing,” which is sometimes used interchangeably, “Breaking” feels more authentic and accurate for this electrifying dance style.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve always been fascinated by the world of dance and its unique forms. Recently, I learned something interesting about Breaking from Sergei Nifontov, the General Secretary of the WDSF (World DanceSports Federation). He explained that while “breakdancing” is a term that gained popularity in mainstream media during the 1980s, largely due to Hollywood and commercial influences, it’s often seen as oversimplifying and commercializing the art form. The community prefers to call it Breaking because this term better reflects the dance’s deeper cultural and artistic significance. It’s a cool insight into the world of dance that I thought was worth sharing!

Breakdancing, originally developed in the Bronx, New York, during the 1970s, gained worldwide recognition through competitions that started in the 1990s. This art form, appreciated by both dancers and the public at large, was eventually incorporated into the Olympics following its successful debut at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games. The event attracted a massive audience, inspiring numerous young people to join international competitions. Similarly, skateboarding and surfing, other popular sports, were recently added to the Olympic roster.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the breakdown of rules for Breaking outlines both scoring methods and competition format. The Breaking event at the Paris Games consists of two distinct competitions: one for males and one for females. In total, 16 male competitors (B-Boys) and 16 female competitors (B-Girls) will engage in thrilling solo performances.

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2024-08-09 17:40