Olympic Breaking's Debut Draws Mixed Reactions
The 2024 Olympics in Paris marked the long-awaited debut of breaking, known widely as breakdancing, as an Olympic sport. On Aug. 9 and 10, some of the world's best breakers will gather in the Place de la Concorde to show off their skills and compete for Olympic gold, silver, and bronze.
Snoop Dogg, who has been in Paris covering the Games for NBC, opened the competition on Aug. 9. The hit-making rapper enjoyed watching the women's competition, as did many fans around the world.
Of all the places that Snoop Dogg should be at the Olympics, this feels right. Snoop opens the breaking competition pic.twitter.com/7qBIomPqMZ
— Thuc Nhi Nguyen (@thucnhi21) August 9, 2024
Olympic Breaking is live! B-girls go first today, B-boys tomorrow. The set looks super cool, and they got a couple dudes hosting with mics hip-hop style. I was curious how they would handle the music, there is a live DJ. They said 300 songs were cleared for the competition, and… pic.twitter.com/BZvzXVIiU5
— Jonathan Shecter (@SheckyGreen) August 9, 2024
"I love Olympic breakdancing and I don’t care who knows it. This rules," one fan wrote on X.
I love Olympic breakdancing and I don’t care who knows it. This rules. #OlympicGames #breaking pic.twitter.com/6qAyzSHEij
— JOE BARRY #1 FAN (@nellis_tweets) August 9, 2024
"I’m digging it," another fan said. "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 Digging it. As someone who was 11yrs old when Rappers Delight came out, I can’t believe breaking is in the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/Wotdmckgms
— London_Eye???? (@theRealRoeLuv) August 9, 2024
"I’m really digging the breaking competition in the Olympics so far," another chimed in.
I’m really digging the Breaking competition in the Olympics so far. pic.twitter.com/kbl6MTTt5H
— tuddle (@tuddle) August 9, 2024
Australian b-girl Raygun, who received 0 points from the judges in all three of her preliminary battles, went viral for her performance in the competition.
"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 quipped.
There has not been an Olympic performance this dominant since Usain Bolt’s 100m sprint at Beijing in 2008. Honestly, the moment Raygun broke out her Kangaroo move this competition was over! Give her the #breakdancing gold ????
— Trapper Haskins (@TrapperHaskins) August 9, 2024
pic.twitter.com/6q8qAft1BX
“These edibles ain’t working!”
— Douglas A. Boneparth (@dougboneparth) August 9, 2024
*15 minutes later*pic.twitter.com/sETNKkTfu8
"Me as a worm trying to get my girlfriend’s attention to see if she still loves me," another viewer said of the moves.
me as a worm trying to get my girlfriend’s attention to see if she still loves me pic.twitter.com/kjf425YLNm
— mount bellyache (@mountbellyache) August 9, 2024
"My 2-year-old when I try to change his diaper," another said.
My 2 year old when I try to change his diaper pic.twitter.com/cDLMvLl9Uf
— Magills (@magills_) August 9, 2024
"Now the sprinkler is a part of breakdancing," another fan joked.
Now the sprinkler is a part of break dancing#raygun#breaking#Olympics2024Paris #Paris2024 #breakdancing pic.twitter.com/NGaQnUsH9n
— Its your girl_Liz (@d4ch0sen1) August 9, 2024
"NHL goalies when they don’t know where the puck is," another said.
nhl goalies when they don’t know where the puck ispic.twitter.com/fhL54FN6St
— faye (@hockey_hater) August 9, 2024
The historic day also included Manizha Talash of Afghanistan, competing for the Refugee Olympic Team, who went to the Games as Afghanistan's first female breaker. During her final round, Talash revealed a cape saying "Free Afghan women," resulting in her disqualification due to "displaying a political slogan on her attire," per USA Today.
A moment of history.
— Sanny Rudravajhala (@Sanny_Rudra) August 9, 2024
“FREE AFGHAN WOMEN”
Manizha Talash of Afghanistan in the first ever Olympic Breaking competition. She loses her qualifier but not before unveiling a cape from underneath her jumper.
Representing the refugee team, Talash is Afghanistan’s first female… pic.twitter.com/gXaeo4Ka7n
Free Afghan Women ✊ #Paris2024 #breaking pic.twitter.com/hjbQHFhpCk
— Thibaut Buccellato (@Thibuch) August 9, 2024
In the end, Ami Yuasa of Japan took home the gold, Dominika Banevič of Lithuania won silver, and Liu Qingyi of China winning gold.
Men's breaking is set to take place Aug. 10 in the Place de la Concorde.