Breaking Dance Shines with Political Message at Olympics
- Ami Yuasa won the inaugural Breaking event at the Olympics, becoming the first champion.
- Alongside her, Manizha Talash from the Refugee Olympic Team highlighted the plight of Afghan women.
- This event combined athleticism with a poignant political statement, emphasizing global issues.
Paris 2024 witnessed the highly anticipated debut of breaking, the only new sport introduced at this year's Olympics. The event, which combined athleticism with cultural expression, generated significant buzz from the outset. The inaugural battle featured B-girl India from the Netherlands against B-girl Manizha, representing the IOC Refugee team. Manizha, who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban's return to power, made a powerful statement by unveiling a cape that read "Free Afghan Women" before her performance, highlighting the sport's potential for political expression. The atmosphere at Place de la Concorde was electric, with a packed crowd captivated by the performances. However, the scoring system left some spectators confused, contrasting with the more straightforward scoring seen in other Olympic sports like climbing. The excitement of revealing scores added a layer of drama, but it also raised questions about the sport's accessibility to a broader audience. While breaking showcased a fresh and dynamic approach to competition, it also highlighted the challenges of integrating new sports into the Olympic framework. Despite its successful debut, breaking's future in the Olympics appears uncertain, as it has already been excluded from the Los Angeles 2028 program. The American organizers opted to reintroduce baseball and softball while adding new sports like cricket and flag football. This decision reflects a trend of one-time sports appearances, similar to karate's brief inclusion in Tokyo, raising concerns about the longevity of breaking in the Olympic landscape.