The 2024 Paris Games will feature a diverse selection of traditional Olympic sports, but recent additions to the lineup are likely to garner significant attention.

Among these newer disciplines are skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing, and breaking, each bringing a fresh dynamic to the competition. Breaking, more commonly known as breakdancing, is set to make its Olympic debut in Paris. Meanwhile, skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing were first introduced at the 2020 Tokyo Games and will continue to capture the excitement of audiences.

Here’s an in-depth look at each of these sports:

Skateboarding

Skateboarding originated in California in the 1950s as a land-based activity for surfers when no waves existed. It has evolved into a global street sport emphasizing skills, creativity, and personal style. The Olympic skateboarding competition includes two main types:

– Street: This event takes place on a course that simulates an urban environment with various street elements such as stairs, rails, benches, ramps, and obstacles. Competitors perform a free skate within a set time, showcasing a variety of tricks and stunts. Scoring is based on the difficulty, originality, smoothness, and overall execution of the maneuvers.

– Park: This event is held in a specially designed skate park with bowl-shaped, curved, and undulating structures. Competitors perform high-speed and aerial tricks on these structures. Judges score based on the complexity, height, speed, and style of the tricks.

Surfing

Surfing is a thrilling and adventurous water sport that originated in Hawaii. Surfers stand on a surfboard and ride the waves, performing various maneuvers. The Olympic surfing competition takes place in a natural ocean environment, with the following scoring criteria:

– Maneuver Difficulty: The complexity and innovation of the surfing maneuvers, such as sharp turns, flips, and aerial tricks.

– Wave Selection: The quality of the waves chosen by the surfer, including the size, shape, and power of the waves. Choosing and performing well on quality waves earns higher scores.

– Flow and Style: The smoothness and overall performance of the surfer’s actions on the wave. Judges look for whether the movements are fluid, natural, and aesthetically pleasing.

Sport Climbing

Sport Climbing is a sport that challenges individuals to their limits, originating from traditional mountaineering. The Olympic sport climbing competition includes three distinct events:

– Speed Climbing: Two competitors climb identical routes simultaneously, racing to reach the top as quickly as possible. This event tests the climbers’ speed and reaction time, with relatively fixed and simple routes.

– Bouldering: Climbers tackle a series of short climbing problems at low heights (typically under 4 meters) without rope protection. Each problem has varying difficulty levels, and climbers attempt to complete as many problems as possible within a set time. Judges score based on the number of completed routes and attempts.

– Lead Climbing: Climbers ascend a high wall using ropes for protection, aiming to climb as high as possible within a set time, usually 6 minutes. Judges score based on the height reached and the fluidity of the climb.

Breaking

Breaking, also known as Breakdancing, originated in New York City in the 1970s and is one of the four elements of hip-hop culture. Breaking is a high-energy, highly technical dance that combines music, dance, and individual creativity. The Olympic breaking competition consists of the following parts:

– Toprock: The upright dance moves and steps performed by the dancer, showcasing rhythm, style, and creativity.

– Downrock: The moves performed on the floor using hands and feet, demonstrating flexibility and skill.

– Power Moves: High-difficulty spinning, rolling, and gymnastic moves, often the most visually impressive part of breaking, showcasing the dancer’s strength and technique.

– Freeze: Moments in the dance where the dancer holds a pose, often in a difficult balance position, demonstrating control and creativity.

Breaking competitions are usually held in a “battle” format, where two or more dancers take turns performing. Judges score based on the difficulty, innovation, musicality, expressiveness, and overall cohesiveness of the dance.