After its debut at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, breaking – or breakdancing – will not return at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
The dance competition was well received at the Paris Games and there were some groundbreaking moments, including a viral and unique routine by Australian Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun.
Japan won gold in the women’s event, while Canada took home the top medal in the men’s event.
Even though breakdancing originated in the United States – more specifically in New York – Los Angeles decided not to include it in the 2028 Summer Olympics.
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However, the host city has selected flag football and squash for their Olympic debut in four years. Lacrosse, cricket, baseball and softball will also return.
The host cities work with the International Olympic Committee years in advance to determine which sports to include in their program in addition to the 28 core sports.
There are many hurdles to overcome in order to become a regular sport at the Olympic Games.
Before the sport can be granted International Sports Federation status, it must first be recognized as a sport by the IOC. To be eligible to participate, athletes must comply with the Olympic Charter, the World Anti-Doping Code and the Code of the Olympic Movement.
Sports can be recognized by the IOC without being part of the Olympic Games.
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The IOC Executive Board can decide which new sport is proposed and hold a vote on whether the sport should be included or not. Many criteria must be met beforehand.
Firstly, the sport must be played by men in at least 75 countries on four continents and by women in at least 40 countries on three continents and it must have a large audience in terms of spectators and television viewers.
Then the rules and regulations for the sport must be clearly outlined. There are other factors, such as that the cost of the Games must not increase and that the host city has the infrastructure to support the new sport.
To gain permanent Olympic status, a new sport must be included at three consecutive Olympic Games. After the 2028 Los Angeles Games, these new permanent sports will include surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing – all of which were introduced at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
