“Not an Olympic sport”: Chinese internet users are angry because Liu did not reach the decisive final
Chinese social media users questioned whether breakdancing should be an Olympic sport after China’s Liu Qingyi lost her semifinal when breakdancing was first included in the Games.
Liu, known as B-Girl 671, was beaten by Nicka – Lithuania’s Dominika Banevic, but took bronze by defeating Netherlands’ India Sardjoe.
Banevic later lost to Japanese Ami Yuasa in the final and took silver.
“I think I did more difficult tricks than other dancers and some powerful moves,” Liu told reporters. “But maybe the judges will put more emphasis on something than that today. I can only do my best.”
While the majority appreciated the excitement of the event and were happy about Liu’s success on Chinese social media, some expressed doubts about the decision, saying it was based solely on the preferences of the jury.
“I’m so surprised by the result of the semifinals, especially the voting in the first round,” wrote one Weibo user. “I think Liu has what it takes to make it to the finals.”
“There isn’t much difference in difficulty (of the techniques) among dancers,” commented another. “Breakdancing is more about personal style and self-expression.”
“If it is judged by quantitative criteria, it loses its fun. That is why it is not suitable as an Olympic sporting event.”
The winner is determined after a round-robin tournament in several individual matches.
Each competition consists of three rounds in which nine judges evaluate each performance based on five criteria: technique, vocabulary, execution, musicality and originality.
This means that the dancers must not only perform correct, varied and clean movements, but also express the music and present their own style.
Breaking was first introduced at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Argentina, where over a million viewers watched. Its popularity paved the way for the Paris Games, as part of a broader effort by the International Olympic Committee to engage younger fans and inject an urban feel.
However, it is unlikely that it will be on the program for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
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