Following its debut in the 2024 Paris Olympics, breaking — also known as breakdancing — will not be featured in the 2028 games in Los Angeles.
The dance competition received positive feedback at the Paris games, with standout performances such as a viral routine from Australia’s Rachael Gunn, a.k.a. Raygun.
Japan secured the gold in the women’s category, while Canada claimed the top spot in the men’s division.
Despite its origins in the U.S., specifically New York, Los Angeles opted not to include breakdancing in the lineup for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
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The host city did, however, select flag football and squash to make their Olympic debuts in four years. Additionally, lacrosse, cricket, baseball, and softball will make a return.
Host cities collaborate with the International Olympic Committee years in advance to determine which sports to include in their program alongside the core 28.
The process for a sport to become a regular feature in the Olympic games involves meeting various requirements.
A sport must first be recognized by the IOC, move to International Sports Federation status, and adhere to the Olympic Charter, the World Anti-Doping Code, and the Olympic Movement Code to be eligible.
Recognition from the IOC does not guarantee inclusion in the Olympic games.
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The IOC’s Executive Board decides which new sport to propose for inclusion, considering several criteria that need to be met beforehand.
For instance, a sport must be practiced by men in at least 75 countries across four continents and by women in at least 40 countries across three continents. It should also have a significant audience in terms of spectators and TV viewers.
Furthermore, the rules and regulations for the sport must be well-defined, along with other considerations such as not increasing the cost of the games and ensuring the host city has the necessary infrastructure to support the new sport.
To secure a permanent spot in the Olympics, a new sport must be featured in three consecutive Olympic games. After the 2028 games in Los Angeles, surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing — all introduced at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics — will become permanent additions.
