After being included as a medal sports in the coming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, breakdancing broke barriers again after it was provisionally approved for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
In a statement, Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet said the International Olympic Committee voted in favor of a proposal to include breakdancing, otherwise known as breaking, to the 2024 Summer Games.
Aside from breakdancing, sports climbing, skateboarding and surfing will likely see action too in the Olympic medal event.
“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 programme and offer a new dimension,” Estanguet said.
Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal said the IOC believes breakdancing will bring in a younger audience.
He also went on in saying that breakdancing is no different than the other sports that “require skill, athleticism, and hours of practice to reach perfection”.
The IOC Executive Board will meet this December to give the final approval for breaking and other sports to be officially be included as medal events.
The Philippine Olympic Committee had earlier approved the inclusion of breakdancing in SEAG this November.
Last March 16, breaking representatives for the SEA Games were chosen in the qualifier.
Photo credit: Pixabay
