Mixed Reactions to Olympic Breaking’s Debut

The 2024 Olympics in Paris marked the highly-anticipated debut of breaking, popularly known as breakdancing, as an official Olympic sport. On August 9 and 10, some of the best breakers from around the globe converged at the Place de la Concorde to showcase their talents and vie for Olympic gold, silver, and bronze medals.

Snoop Dogg, present in Paris covering the Games for NBC, had the honor of opening the competition on August 9. The renowned rapper delighted in watching the women’s competition, a sentiment echoed by numerous fans worldwide.

“I love Olympic breakdancing and I don’t care who knows it. This rules,” one fan expressed on X.

“I’m digging it,” commented another fan. “As someone who was 11 years old when [The Sugarhill Gang’s] ‘Rapper’s Delight’ came out, I can’t believe breaking is in the Olympics.”

“I’m really digging the breaking competition in the Olympics so far,” another enthusiast stated.

One of the standout moments of the competition was the performance by Australian b-girl Raygun. Although she received zero points from the judges in all three of her preliminary battles, her display quickly went viral.

“There has not been an Olympic performance this dominant since Usain Bolt’s 100-meter sprint at Beijing in 2008. Honestly, the moment Raygun broke out her kangaroo move this competition was over! Give her the breakdancing gold,” one person humorously remarked.

“Me as a worm trying to get my girlfriend’s attention to see if she still loves me,” another viewer commented on her moves.

“My 2-year-old when I try to change his diaper,” noted another observer.

“Now the sprinkler is a part of breakdancing,” joked another fan.

“NHL goalies when they don’t know where the puck is,” added another.

The event also featured a historic moment with Manizha Talash of Afghanistan, who competed as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. Talash made headlines as Afghanistan’s first female breaker. During her final round, she donned a cape inscribed with “Free Afghan women,” which led to her disqualification for “displaying a political slogan on her attire,” according to USA Today.

Ultimately, Ami Yuasa of Japan clinched the gold medal, Dominika Banevič of Lithuania secured the silver, and Liu Qingyi of China took home the bronze.

The men’s breaking competition is scheduled for August 10 at the Place de la Concorde.

Source: USA Today