Dance, hip-hop and sport collide in Breaking and the form is about to make its debut in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Here’s what you ned to know.

The Roots of Breaking

Breaking emerged from New York City, particularly the Bronx, during the 1970s. Responding to the challenges faced by black and Hispanic youth in that era and created within the city’s disadvantaged communities, breaking was more than just a dance; it was expression, rebellion and community, a demand for respect and recognition.

Breaking at the Summer Youth Olympics in 2018. Photo Wikimedia/Commons

Inextricably related to the extended drum breaks developed by the early hip-hop DJs, Breaking is characterised by its athleticism, including toprock (standing moves), downrock (floor-based moves), power moves (acrobatic manoeuvres), and freezes (sudden stops in motion). A physical manifestation of the beats and rhythms of hip-hop music, it requires agility, strength and creativity.

The Journey to Olympic Recognition

The road to Olympic inclusion was neither short nor straightforward. Breaking first gained mainstream exposure in the 1980s with movies like Beat Street and Breakin’, but it wasn’t until the 21st century that it began to gain serious consideration as a competitive sport. The World...