Breaking, popularly known as breakdance, made its debut at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, generating both expectations and controversy. Despite the initial excitement, the performance of some competitors, particularly that of Australian Rachael Gunn, known as Raygun, has left a bitter taste that could influence the decision to include this discipline in future Olympic Games.
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Raygun, a 36-year-old university professor with a Ph.D. in cultural studies and a long history in breakdancing, became the center of attention during the competitions in Plaza de la Concordia. Her performance, which some described as "disastrous" and "ridiculous," was met with harsh criticism, especially on social media, where videos of her unorthodox moves went viral.
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The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will not have breaking
In their three matchups in the qualifying round, Gunn failed to score a single point, ending with an overall result of 54-0, making them the target of ridicule and memes on the internet. The impact of their performance has led many to question whether breaking will have a second chance at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Although some social media users have pointed to Raygun as the cause of the exclusion of breaking from the Los Angeles programming, this claim is incorrect. The decision to not include breaking in Los Angeles 2028 was made in October 2023, long before Gunn made his controversial performance in Paris.
The organizers of Los Angeles 2028 have decided to add six more sports to the calendar, such as cricket, baseball, softball, lacrosse, flag football, and squash, sports they consider more aligned with American sports culture.
The future of breaking in the Olympic plan is in doubt
Despite the criticisms, Gunn defended his approach, stating that his goal was not to outperform the younger and technically superior competitors, but to express his creativity and originality on an international stage. "I was never going to beat these girls at what they do best, so I wanted to move in a different way, to be artistic and creative," he declared.
Meanwhile, the World DanceSport Federation, which oversees breaking as a discipline, expressed its disappointment at the exclusion, but is already focused on getting the discipline to return as an invited sport in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.