From the Streets to the Olympic Stage: Celebrating Breaking's Unforgettable Debut at Paris 2024
Images:
1. FRONT COVER OF NEWSPAPER , BBOY BGIRL LIFESTYLE, BUDDY BAKER, THE RECORD, NORTHJERSEY.COM, PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK 2. PAGE 6A OF NEWSPAPER: BBOY BGIRL LIFESTYLE, HENRY "RIVAL" VIJANDE, THE RECORD, NORTHJERSEY.COM, PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK 3. Breaking is for Everyone - Image of Class in Session Photography by Dimitri Vijande - Bboy Bgirl Lifestyle 4. We work together - Image of Class in Session Photography by Dimitri Vijande - Bboy Bgirl Lifestyle 5. Guidance - Image of Class in Session Photography by Dimitri Vijande - Bboy Bgirl Lifestyle 6. Demonstration - Image of Class in Session Photography by Dimitri Vijande - Bboy Bgirl Lifestyle 7. Step by Step - Image of Class in Session Photography by Dimitri Vijande - Bboy Bgirl Lifestyle
The 2024 Summer Olympics marked a historic moment for the breaking community as our beloved dance form took center stage on the global platform for the very first time. For those of us who have dedicated our lives to the art of breaking, seeing our craft recognized and celebrated on such a monumental scale was nothing short of inspiring.
I had the honor of being interviewed by NorthJersey.com and The Record, where I shared my thoughts on breaking's journey to the Olympics, my involvement in this movement, and what the future holds for our community. You can read the full article here.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Breaking’s Journey to the 2024 Olympics
Breaking, also known as breakdancing, has always been more than just a series of acrobatic moves—it’s a cultural movement deeply tied to the origins of Hip-Hop. From its beginnings at block parties in 1970s New York City to the Olympic stage in 2024, breaking has evolved into a global phenomenon that represents creativity, resilience, and unity. As someone who helped create the United Breakin' Association, a global organization of breaking , I had the privilege of working alongside others to get breaking into the 2018 Youth Olympics and eventually, the 2024 Olympics. The Olympics provided an unparalleled opportunity for the world to witness the athleticism, artistry, and improvisational nature of breaking. As I mentioned in my interview, "Breaking is still going to exist, and we, the practitioners, keep pushing forward the movement of our dance." This spotlight has undoubtedly increased breaking’s visibility, inspiring the next generation of dancers. My Personal Involvement in the Breaking Movement I’ve been immersed in the breaking world since I was 13 going on 14 years old, and over the years, I’ve seen the dance grow from underground battles to massive global competitions. I’ve dedicated my career to sharing breaking with students of all ages and helping foster the community’s growth on a global scale. My involvement in helping bring breaking to the Olympics has been a deeply rewarding experience. Knowing that I’ve played a part in elevating this art form onto such a prestigious stage fills me with pride. It’s been incredible to see the world come together and support breaking, and I reflected on this in my interview: "Seeing everyone come together and everyone being supportive of everyone being on that platform and seeing the back-end communications of everyone just supporting in their own way our dance, it's impactful. It's a very happy moment." The Global Spotlight on Breaking The global spotlight that the Olympics has provided to breaking is invaluable. More than just a competitive sport, breaking is a culture & lifestyle that brings people together, no matter their background. This worldwide stage not only showcased the top breakers from around the globe but also shared our values of creativity, expression, and community with a larger audience.
While currently breaking won’t be included in the 2028 Olympics, this moment in 2024 is just the beginning of something bigger. As I shared in the interview, breaking will continue to thrive and grow regardless of its inclusion in future Olympic events. It is up to us, the practitioners, to keep pushing forward, teaching the next generation, and representing the true essence of this art form.
Looking Ahead The inclusion of breaking in the 2024 Olympics is more than just a one-time event—it’s a milestone in the journey of this dance and culture. Moving forward, I’m excited to continue sharing the power of breaking through my work at Bboy Bgirl Lifestyle. This includes teaching students, organizing events, and creating spaces where people can learn, grow, and build together through the art of breaking. One of the most important aspects is literally jumping into dance circles, or cyphers, where we share and support each other in the energy of the circle. It’s about showing up, being present, and contributing to the growth of our community through the collective experience of dance. I encourage you to check out the full article here to read more about my thoughts on breaking’s Olympic journey, its future, and how we, as a community, can keep the movement alive. Together, we’ll continue to break boundaries and push this culture forward—one step, one spin, and one freeze at a time.
Acknowledgments
![]()
I want to extend a special thank you to
Ricardo Kaulessar, the culture reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Atlantic Region How We Live team, for covering this pivotal moment for the breaking community. Ricardo has been a staff writer for North Jersey Media Group since 2014, covering Essex and Bergen counties, and his work continues to shine a light on the richness of culture and community. https://www.northjersey.com/staff/2646541001/ricardo-kaulessar/ ![]()
I also want to acknowledge Kevin R. Wexler, an award-winning photojournalist with The Record and NorthJersey.com, for his brilliant visual storytelling. Their combined efforts have brought the story of breaking to life, and I’m deeply grateful for their contributions to the culture.
https://www.northjersey.com/staff/2647146001/kevin-r-wexler/
Video courtesy of:
A Huge Congratulations to All Who Made Breaking Shine at the 2024 Olympics!
To the incredible dancers who brought their passion, skill, and dedication to the global stage, the DJs who kept the vibe alive, the investors and stakeholders who believed in this vision, and the Director of Photography who captured the essence of every moment—your hard work and collaboration have made history. Thank you to everyone involved in making this monumental moment possible, bringing Breaking to the world in all its glory. Your efforts have truly showcased the power, artistry, and unity of our culture. The world is watching, and we couldn’t be prouder!
In Unity with the Unseen
Here in our community, every moment we are in, we are a living testament to the unknown forces that allow us to exist, showing respect and solidarity . Each one of us carries a unique story, woven with moments. Our diversity is our strength, creating vibrant threads that come together to form a beautiful tapestry of experiences. No matter our backgrounds, we all share common values—comprehension and respect. It’s in the greetings exchanged with neighbors, the support we offer one another, and the way we come together to celebrate life’s moments, big and small. When we embrace this, we cultivate a space where hope, compassion, and endless possibilities thrive. Let’s continue to nurture a place where community is more than just a word—it’s a shared commitment to uplifting one another, showing up for one another and finding joy in the journey together. Because when we rise, we rise together, creating a future filled with light and opportunity.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Our Dance of Breaking, defined by:World Bboy Bgirl
NewsAll ages Hip Hop Dance Fitness & Toning Bboying, Bgirling, Breaking, Rocking aka Breakdancing Classes & Lessons A Pivotal Era
bbgl apparelArchives
December 2024
Functioning since November 2009 - 2025. Nothing But Knowledge, LLC. currently functioning as BBOY BGIRL LIFESTYLE BboyBgirlLifestyle.com
*All music used on our page , video clips, in facility and in our presence is used under Fair Use for purposes of listening, and learning of us through dance. The music we use to dance is for self educational purpose of self knowledge on how to move to sound in a particular way i.e thru Breaking, bboying, Bgirling . We are not claiming any music or selling the music at all.
We share knowledge of the dance of Bboying, Bgirling, Breaking, Rocking, Going off, etc... |
Site Title | Bboy bgirl Lifestyle Empowerment Blog |
# BBOY BGIRL LIFESTYLEFully Insured Programs for Your Safety
|