Breaking, also known as breakdancing, made a historic debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with 33 breakers from 15 countries and the Refugee Olympic Team. Japan’s Ami Yuasa took the gold in the b-girls’ competition, Lithuania’s Dominika “Nicka” Banevic earning silver, and China’s Liu “671” Qingyi claiming bronze. Breaking, featured for the first time this year, will not be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Australian B-Girl Rachel “Raygun” Gunn expressed disappointment: “It was decided before we even had a chance to show it.”
Italian B-Girl Anti shared her amazement: “I never thought about breaking at the Olympics… it’s really huge.”
American B-Girl Logistx noted the challenging balance between breaking’s roots and Olympic standards, calling it “a messy process.” Despite this, she believes the culture has “pulled through,” showcasing breaking’s athleticism and dedication.
The day kicked off with American rapper Snoop Dogg’s energetic entrance, set to “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” which thrilled the crowd. The 17 b-girls competing received the loudest cheers, particularly those from France and the U.S. The b-boys will take the stage on Saturday for what might be their sole Olympic appearance in the near future.
