Break dancing, or breaking, will make its debut at the Summer Olympics in Paris 2024. This dance style has a compelling history, evolving from its roots on the streets of the United States to becoming a part of the world’s largest sporting event.

The sport of breaking has gradually gained prominence, with its impressive debut at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires paving the way for its inclusion in the Paris 2024 Olympics. It will be the sole new sport making its Olympic debut in the upcoming Games.

Here’s what you need to know about breaking: the schedule, format, and rules of the sport.

Rules, Moves, and Scoring in Break Dancing

Break dancing features three fundamental moves: top rock, down rock, and freeze. Within down rock, power moves are particularly notable for their stunning displays of strength, balance, and flexibility.

In competitions, breakers face off in one-on-one battles to beats provided by a hip-hop DJ. Each dancer takes turns, known as throw downs, to display their skills. These throw downs are performed in a set number of rounds for both dancers.

Judges score each performance based on several criteria: creativity, personality, technique, variety, performativity, and musicality. Technique, performativity, and creativity account for 60% of the total score, while variety, musicality, and personality make up the remaining 40%.

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Break Dancing Format at the Paris Olympics

Break dancing will feature separate medal events for men and women, each following the same format.

• Competition Format: 16 b-boys and 16 b-girls will compete. They will be divided into four groups of four. Each dancer will face the other three in their group, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. The competition will then proceed in a knockout format.

Schedule for the Paris Olympics

• Women’s Competition: Friday, August 9
• Men’s Competition: Saturday, August 10

In India, both events will start at 7:30 PM IST.

Where to Watch

• TV: Sports18
• Live Streaming: JioCinema

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