Is Breakdancing in 2028 Olympics?

Breakdancing's Olympic status

2024 Paris Olympics debut

• Olympic debut: Breakdancing, also known as 'breaking,' made its Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics
• Competition format: The tournament featured 32 of the world's best breakers competing in a round-robin format followed by one-on-one battles
• Judging criteria: Performances were judged on five criteria: technique, execution, originality, musicality, and vocabulary

2028 Los Angeles Olympics exclusion

• IOC decision: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided not to include breakdancing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, confirming that breaking 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will not happen
• Timing of decision: This decision about Olympic breakdancing 2028 was made well in advance of the 2024 Paris Olympics and was not influenced by the performance or public reception of the event
• Other sports affected: Boxing is also at risk of exclusion from the 2028 Olympics due to ongoing corruption allegations in its governing body

Reasons for exclusion and future prospects

Factors influencing the decision

• Optional sport status: Breaking was added to the 2024 Paris Olympics as an optional sport, which made it more susceptible to exclusion from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
• Mixed reception: The inclusion of breaking in the Olympics generated both positive and negative attention

Future of Olympic breaking

• 2032 Brisbane Olympics: The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) is working to ensure breaking is included in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, despite its absence from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
• Potential evolution: If breaking returns to the Olympics after being excluded from the 2028 Games, it may evolve to include formats such as 2-on-2, 3-on-3, or larger crew vs. crew competitions

Impact of Olympic inclusion

• Global recognition: The Olympic debut provided breaking with an international stage and cultural recognition, acknowledging its global impact and influence, which makes its exclusion from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics more significant
• Formal structure: Countries adopted more formal structures to spot, train, and nurture breakdancing talent, a process that may be affected by breakdancing not being in the 2028 Olympics
• Youth engagement: Breaking's inclusion was part of the IOC's effort to attract a younger audience to the Olympics, a goal that may be impacted by the decision to exclude breakdancing from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

FAQ

Is breakdancing going to be in the 2028 Olympics?

No, breakdancing will not be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to drop breaking from the program after its debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Why was breakdancing removed from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?

The exact reasons for the exclusion haven't been fully disclosed. However, breaking was added as an optional sport for Paris 2024, making it more susceptible to exclusion. The decision was made well in advance of the 2024 Games and wasn't influenced by the event's performance or reception.

Will there be Olympic breakdancing in 2028?

No, there will not be Olympic breakdancing in 2028. The IOC's decision means that breaking will not be part of the Los Angeles Olympics program.

What impact does the exclusion of breaking from the 2028 Olympics have?

The exclusion may affect the sport's global recognition, the development of formal structures for training athletes, and the IOC's efforts to engage younger audiences. It also interrupts the momentum gained from its Olympic debut in 2024.

Is there a chance for breakdancing to return to the Olympics after 2028?

Yes, there's a possibility. The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) is working to include breaking in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. If it returns, the sport may evolve to include new formats like 2-on-2 or 3-on-3 competitions.