Breakdancing is set to become a new Olympic sport after the street dance style has been given a green light along with three other sports.
As the International Olympic Committee confirmed, they are looking forward to attracting a younger audience by introducing a new set of sports to the popular Olympic Games.
Breakdancing will for the first time be a part of the Olympics at 2024 Games in Paris. Joining breaking in 2024 will also be three other sports, including surfing, sport climbing, and skateboarding, which are set to make a debut during the Tokyo Olympics.
The Olympics in Tokyo, which were set to take place in 2020, will kick off in the summer next year due to the delay caused by the pandemic. Besides the three sports mentioned above, karate will also debut during the upcoming Olympics in Japan – But it hasn’t been chosen for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
According to the Paris Games organizers, they aim to present a program that will attract younger generations to the Olympics.
“I am delighted with the IOC Session’s vote in favor of our proposal to include breaking, sport climbing, skateboarding and surfing on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games program,” Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet said after the IOC Executive Board approved their request.
“Our aim from the outset has been to highlight what has been the strength of the Games for 32 Olympiads now – the diversity of the sports and the excitement that comes with performance – while also taking the opportunity afforded by the IOC to enhance the program and offer a new dimension.”
While breakdancing was approved as a sports category for the 2024 Olympics, the IOC allegedly rejected the International Gymnastics Federation’s request to include parkour.
“With this program, we are making Paris 2024 fit for the post-corona world. We are further reducing the cost and complexity of hosting the Games,” IOC president Thomas Bach said.
Replaced!