What is breaking? Rules, scoring for new Olympic Games sport at Paris 2024

2024-08-09
3 min read
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We have a brand new sport to enjoy at the 2024 Olympic Games, with breaking joining the fold.

It's certainly not your typical Olympic event, but the IOC is aiming to attract more young people, and have made a fresh addition to the Paris Games.

While most people are relatively familiar with break dancing, how will it work as an Olympic sport?

The Sporting News takes a look.

MORE: Updated medal standings for 2024 Olympics

What is breaking? History, origin of Olympic sport

Breaking – commonly known as 'break dancing' – is a dance style with strong urban roots.

According to olympics.com, it originated in the New York City borough of the Bronx in the 1970s, and is characterised by "acrobatic movements, stylised footwork, and the key role played by the DJ and the MC (master of ceremonies) during battles". 

Break dance competitions have been held since the 1990s. Since then it has continued to grow in popularity and has led to the creation of an international organising body – the World DanceSport Federation.

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The sport made its first Olympic appearance in 2018 at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.

Its inclusion was deemed a success by organisers, with breaking to feature as a new sport at the Paris 2024 Games.

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Breaking at the Olympics: Rules, scoring

For many, dance is considered an art form, which can make it difficult to score or grade objectively.

There is an established system in place for Paris, though.

Two medal events will be run – one for men and one for women – with 16 'b-boys' and 'b-girls' competing.

A maximum of four athletes per continent are allowed to compete in each event.

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Judges will score solo battles based on six criteria:

  • Creativity
  • Personality
  • Technique
  • Variety
  • Performativity 
  • Musicality

An uneven number of judges (minimum three) will be required to score battles.

Grades for technique, performativity and creativity make up 60 per cent of the total score, while variety, musicality and personality are worth 40 per cent.

Judges submit their votes after each round, with the competitor with the most points the winner.

New Olympic sports 2024

Breaking is one of two sports debuting in Paris, joining kayak cross.

At the last Games in Tokyo, four new sports were introduced – karate, surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing.