Breaking Makes Olympic Debut at Paris 2024 Alongside Returning Sports

The Paris Olympics will introduce breaking, a competitive form of breakdancing, and see the return of climbing, skateboarding, and surfing from Tokyo 2020. Key athletes to watch include Victor Montalvo and Phil Wizard in breakdancing. Karate and baseball-softball have been excluded from the 2024 Games.

The Paris Olympics, set to open on Friday, will showcase breaking as a new sport, alongside the return of climbing, skateboarding, and surfing from the recent Tokyo 2020 Games.

Breaking, an acrobatic form of breakdancing, will make its Olympic debut in Paris. Originating in the Bronx in the 1970s, this urban dance style was added to the 2024 program in late 2020. Top contenders include two-time World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) champion Victor Montalvo and Canadian Phil Wizard in the B-Boy category.

Among the returning sports, climbing will feature events in speed climbing and a combined bouldering and lead competition, skateboarding will have street and park disciplines, and nearly 48 surfers will compete in Tahiti. Notably, karate and baseball-softball will not be part of the Paris 2024 Games, though the latter will return for Los Angeles 2028.

(With inputs from agencies.)