New Olympic sport, breakdancing

AP Photo-Ahn Young-joon

Breakdancing also known as breaking, came about in the late 60’s early 70’s. Now in 2020, breaking will become an official Olympic sport for the first time ever.

The International Olympic Committee announced the decision . Breaking is a part of a new wave of sports, following climbing, skateboarding and surfing. Thomas Bach, IOC President, has been on board with the new sport speaking on the impact of breakdancing, “More gender balanced, more youthful and more urban”.

Breakdancing first debuted back in 2018 summer youth games in Buenos Aires. While most of the breaking community find it a great praise that its a part of the Olympics, some have expressed concerns that its authenticity will get twisted in the transition.

Richard Colon has been break dancing since he was a kid in the 70s. He’s known as crazy legs. When he first heard the art form of breaking becoming an Olympic sport he said, “ It goes beyond just the moves. The passion and the pain that goes with living through the struggle- that is the essence of dance. You want to make sure that the soul of it isn’t diluted.”