Breaking

Breaking (also called b-boying or b-girling) is an urban dance style which originated during the mid-1970s in the Bronx borough of New York City. The earliest innovators of Breaking were African-American and Puerto Rican youths. During the ensuing 50 years, Breaking has progressed from its Bronx roots into an internationally-recognized cultural art form, with elements of urban dance intertwined with extraordinary athleticism.

Breaking has evolved into a global cultural art form with many elements of sport, given its athletic nature. This naturally led to the 2016 decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to add Breaking to the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, its historic debut at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and its continued presence on the Olympic stage at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.