The Debut of Breaking at the Olympics: A Mix of Smooth Moves and Cringeworthy Moments

Recently, the newest Olympic competition, breaking, made its debut in Paris, sparking various reactions from viewers. While some praised the dancers for their smooth moves, many found certain moments cringeworthy.

A total of 33 breakers from 15 different countries, along with the Refugee Olympic Team, showcased their skills on the dance floor in a two-day competition to compete for the event’s first Olympic medal.

One of the standout moments was when B-girl India from the Netherlands triumphed over b-girl Talash from the Refugee Olympic Team in the first-ever breaking battle at the Olympics. The women’s competition kicked off with a pre-qualifier that was added in May to accommodate Talash, who missed the registration deadline for qualifying events.

Social media was abuzz with hashtags like “#BreakingForGold” and “#breakdancing” quickly becoming top trends on various platforms. Supporters shared videos of impressive routines, while others couldn’t help but point out some cringeworthy moments during the competition.

Here are some of the notable social media posts that captured the essence of the debut of breaking at the Olympics:

Team USA breaker Logistx wowed the crowd with her opening routine at the #ParisOlympics.

Judges made a questionable call during one of the routines that left viewers scratching their heads.

Despite the mixed reactions, one thing was certain: breaking at the Olympics brought a new level of excitement and energy to the games.

The competition transitioned into a round-robin phase, where breakers faced off in groups before moving on to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final matchup to determine the champion.

Before the battles commenced, American rapper Snoop Dogg made a grand entrance to the sounds of “Drop it Like it’s Hot,” setting the stage for an electrifying event. The emcees introduced the 17 b-girls competing on Friday, with the crowd erupting in cheers for the dancers from France and the U.S.

The judges, consisting of esteemed b-boys and b-girls from around the world, presided over the competition, emphasizing the roots and essence of breaking as a dance form.

The debut of breaking at the Olympics was a mix of exhilarating performances, unexpected moments, and a celebration of the artistry and athleticism of the dancers.

For more details on how breaking works at the Olympics, you can visit here.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.