Paris 2024 Olympics: New Sports and Key Changes

The Paris 2024 Olympics will introduce breaking, a competitive form of breakdancing, and add kayak cross to the canoe slalom events. Sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing will return from Tokyo 2020, while karate and baseball-softball have been dropped. Key athletes to watch include Victor Montalvo and Nicka in breaking, and Joe Clarke in kayak cross.

The Paris Olympics, commencing this Friday, will showcase breaking—a dynamic fusion of artistry and acrobatics—making its Olympic debut. Originating in the Bronx in the 1970s, breaking was incorporated into the Paris 2024 programme in late 2020.

Top contenders in breaking include twice World DanceSport Federation champion Victor Montalvo and Canadian competitor Phil Wizard in the B-Boy category. The B-Girl category highlights Lithuanian champion Nicka and Japan's Ami Yuasa.

Additionally, kayak cross will debut in canoe slalom—a thrilling race on white water featuring timed solo runs and head-to-head competitions. Great Britain's Joe Clarke and Australia's Jessica Fox are strong contenders, despite the unpredictable nature of the event.

Returning from the Tokyo 2020 Games are sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing. Notably, karate and baseball-softball are excluded from Paris 2024 but will reappear in Los Angeles 2028.

(With inputs from agencies.)