As one of the most controversial sports at the Paris 2024 Olympics, breakdancing drew significant attention, particularly after Australian competitor Rachael Gunn received a zero score for her routine. This moment sparked widespread mockery on social media, casting a shadow over the sport.
Are you trying to tell me that this breakdance battle between a 36-year-old university lecturer named Raygun and a white Lithuanian girl in a durag named Nicka isn’t a scene straight out of a slightly problematic mid-2000s comedy? https://t.co/jfGEHlcOQ1
— Nathaniel Mechler (@natemechler) August 10, 2024
Read also: The Wildest Scandals from Paris 2024 Olympics That Had Us Talking
Olympic Breakdancing or ‘Break’
Many people expressed their dissatisfaction with breakdancing, comparing it unfavorably to other Olympic sports. Gunn, who holds a doctorate in dance, became a focal point of the criticism, with her routine receiving harsh scrutiny.
“Compare a gymnast to Raygun’s ‘breakdance’ and ask yourself if it’s fair that they were both at the same Olympic Games competing for medals” said some on social media.
Are you trying to tell me that this breakdance battle between a 36-year-old university lecturer named Raygun and a white Lithuanian girl in a durag named Nicka isn’t a scene straight out of a slightly problematic mid-2000s comedy? https://t.co/jfGEHlcOQ1
— Nathaniel Mechler (@natemechler) August 10, 2024
Breakdancing Excluded from Future Olympic Games
Now, the Olympic Committee has officially excluded breakdancing from the list of sports for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Reports suggest that it is unlikely the sport will be reinstated for the Brisbane 2032 Games.
According to multiple sources, the primary reason for breakdancing’s removal from the Olympic program was a lack of resources. In its place, five new sports will be introduced at the 2028 Games: cricket, flag football, baseball/softball, lacrosse, and squash.
Rather than shameful cyberbullying, ridiculing a culture & negative posts on 1 individual, positively acknowledging medalists & insanely talented individuals in the Breaking Paris 2024 Olympic Games must be shared 🎥 Dany Phil Wizard Ami Nicka Shigekix #breakdance #breakdancing pic.twitter.com/BVL11uMYQ4
— del_mak (@Del_Mak) August 12, 2024
What is Breakdance?
Breakdancing, also known as breaking or b-boying, is an urban dance style that originated in New York’s African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s. As one of the foundational elements of hip-hop culture, it is characterized by acrobatic movements, spins, jumps, and intricate footwork.
The sport includes various types of moves such as toprock, downrock, power moves, and freezes. Breakdancers, known as b-boys and b-girls, often compete in battles, where they showcase their skills and unique styles against other dancers. At Paris 2024, the sport was presented in a direct elimination format to determine the winners.
Do you agree with this decision? Or will you miss this Olympic sport?
This article was written originally in Spanish by Miguel Fernández in Cultura Colectiva News.