Why is breakdancing not part of the 2028 L.A. Olympics? Exploring reasons behind sport's absence after making maiden appearance at Paris 2024

By Marie Amani

Modified Aug 14, 2024 16:55 GMT

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The Paris Olympics saw the introduction of new sports disciplines, including skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing and breakdancing. However, breakdancing will be dropped at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Despite outstanding moments that gained traction from the masses across the globe, the event will be scrapped from the roaster at the L.A. 2028 Olympics. Breakdancing was invented by African Americans in New York City.

The decision was made after a series of consultations. The host city met with the International Olympic Committee to discuss the addition of the sport.

As reported by Scripps News, the L.A. 2028 Olympic Games organizers have decided not to include breakdancing in the sports lineup. The organizers decided to introduce flag football and squash at the Olympic Games in 2028. They proposed that lacrosse, cricket, baseball, and softball make a comeback.

The sports to be included must be on the IOC roster of events and have to comply with the Olympic Charter, the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code.

To replace breakdancing with flag football and squash, the two sports need to be actively done in at least 75 countries, across four continents, by men. It must be done by women in at least 40 countries across three continents.

For a sport to be included in the Olympic Games permanently, it needs to be held three consecutive times on the Olympic stage. This means that breakdancing is not eligible to be included in the Olympic Games.

At the Paris Olympics, the women’s category saw Japan’s Ami Yuasa take the win, with Lithuania’s Dominika Banevič finishing second. China’s Liu Qingyi rounded up the podium. In the men’s event, Canadian Philip Kim took the win ahead of Frenchman Danis Civil and American Victor Montalvo, who finished second and third, respectively.

Dominika Banevic on why breakdancing should be included in the Olympic roster

Dominika Banevic on why breakdancing should be included in the Olympic roster (source: Getty)

Dominika Banevic was flawless as she won her maiden Olympic silver medal in breakdancing, competing at the Paris Olympic Games.

After securing second place, Banevic told AP News that the introduction of the sport was like an icebreaker from the norm.

"Olympics needed breaking because it’s like a breath of fresh air. Such a big amount of people saw breaking for the first time, like it’s huge. And I’m happy that I was able to represent at the highest level of the art form for breaking," she said.

However, Banevic will not have another chance to breakdance on the Olympic stage following its removal from the L.A. 2028 Olympic Games roster.