The 2024 summer Olympics are slowly sneaking up on us. From July 26 to August 11, almost 330 athletic events and approximately 760 sessions will take place at the Stade de France in Paris, France. A variety of events will occur this year, from archery to taekwondo. However, a new event has been added to this year’s schedule: breaking.
Breaking is an American style of dance that has gradually become more popular in recent years. This style originated in the Bronx and involves acrobatics and hip-hop influences. Although breaking is considered new to many, international competitions for the dance style have existed since the 1990s. According to the official website for the 2024 Paris Olympics, these four events are being added to the Olympics this year because of a desire to “enhance its programme and overall concept.” The website also states that “The IOC [International Olympic Committee] is keen to set a new standard for inclusive, gender-balanced, and youth-centered games,” (Olympic Sports). After reviewing a proposal from Paris 2024, the International Olympic Committee decided to implement these four new sports because they are associated with the younger generations and they value creativity plus athletic ability.
In addition to the announcement of the new events that will be included, the event schedule has recently been released. After the opening ceremony, the Olympics will officially begin with cycling time trials, judo competitions, fencing, rugby, swimming, diving, and shooting, all beginning on July 27. Speaking of events, images of the medals have also been revealed. Each medal will have the Eiffel Tower etched on them, paying homage to the location of this year’s Summer Olympics. Chaumet, the LVMH jewelry house was responsible for designing the medals, which feature hexagon shapes, gem-setting, thin lines, and a certain radiance to help the metals shine.
More information is gradually being released as we come closer to the commencement of the 2024 Summer Olympics and as the amount of information is increasing, so is the excitement.
Sources:
Olympic Sports, https://www.paris2024.org/en/olympic-sports Paris 2024, March 23, 2024, March 14, 2024
Anthony, Pexels, https://www.pexels.com/photo/gray-olympics-concrete-block-133325/