The Olympic Games are not only a showcase of the world’s best athletes, but also a reflection of the host nation’s culture and vision. The Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024, will feature four new sports that are closely associated with youth, creativity and urban culture: breaking, sport climbing, skateboarding and surfing. These sports were proposed by the Paris 2024 Organising Committee and approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in December 2020, as part of the Olympic Agenda 2020, which allows the host city to propose new sports that fit its context and identity.
Breaking: From the Streets to the Stage
Breaking, also known as breakdancing or b-boying/b-girling, is a style of dance that originated from the hip-hop culture in the United States in the 1970s. It involves acrobatic moves, stylised footwork and freezes, performed to the rhythm of music played by a DJ. Breaking was first introduced as an Olympic sport at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, where it received positive feedback from the athletes and the audience. It will make its debut at the Paris 2024 Games, with two events: one for men and one for women. Each event will feature 16 b-boys and 16 b-girls, who will compete in one-on-one battles judged by a panel of experts. The breaking events will take place on August 9 and 10, 2024, at the Place de la Concorde, an iconic square in Paris that will be temporarily transformed into an urban park.
Sport Climbing: A Test of Strength, Speed and Skill
Sport climbing is a form of rock climbing that involves scaling artificial walls with different shapes, colours and holds. It has become a popular sport in the last 20 years, with over 25 million climbers in 150 countries around the world. Sport climbing was also first introduced as an Olympic sport at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, where it attracted many spectators and media attention. It made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, where it was praised for its thrilling and dynamic nature. It will continue to be part of the Olympic programme at the Paris 2024 Games, with three formats: bouldering, speed and lead.
In bouldering, climbers have to solve short and complex problems on walls that are 4.5 metres high, without using ropes or harnesses. In speed, climbers race against each other on a standardised wall that is 15 metres high and has an inclination of five degrees. In lead, climbers have to climb as high as possible on a wall that is over 15 metres high, using a rope for safety and without seeing the route beforehand. Each format will have separate events for men and women, with 20 climbers in each event. The sport climbing events will take place from August 2 to August 6, 2024, at the Grand Palais Éphémère, a temporary structure that will be built on the Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower.
Skateboarding: A Sport of Style and Creativity
Skateboarding is a sport that involves riding and performing tricks on a skateboard, usually on ramps, rails or street obstacles. It emerged from the surf culture in California in the 1950s and has since become a global phenomenon, with millions of skateboarders of all ages and backgrounds. Skateboarding was another sport that made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, where it showcased its diversity and innovation.
It will be back at the Paris 2024 Games, with two disciplines: park and street. In park, skateboarders perform on a hollowed-out course that features a series of curves and bowls. In street, skateboarders perform on a course that simulates urban settings, such as stairs, handrails and benches. Each discipline will have events for men and women, with 20 skateboarders in each event. The skateboarding events will take place from July 26 to July 31, 2024, at the Place de la Concorde.
Surfing: A Sport of Harmony with Nature
Surfing is a sport that involves riding waves on a surfboard or other devices. It originated from the Polynesian culture and spread to other coastal regions around the world. Surfing is not only a physical activity but also a way of life for many surfers who respect and enjoy nature. Surfing was yet another sport that made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, where it demonstrated its beauty and excitement. It will return at the Paris 2024 Games, with one discipline: shortboard.
In shortboard surfing, surfers use small and manoeuvrable boards to perform fast and radical moves on the waves. The surfing events will have 20 men and 20 women, who will compete in heats of four or five surfers. The surfing events will take place from July 26 to August 2, 2024, at a natural site that will be chosen according to the wave conditions. The possible locations include Biarritz, Lacanau, Hossegor and Tahiti.
The four new sports that will be included in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are expected to bring a fresh and youthful vibe to the event, as well as to attract new audiences and fans. They will also showcase the diversity and creativity of the Olympic movement, as well as the cultural and environmental values of the host nation.
