In pursuit of gold: Breaking’s debut at the Paris Olympics

Abstract

The announcement that breaking will be featured in the 2024 Paris Olympics has produced a wide variety of responses, both from within and without hip hop culture. This first of two Special Issues of Global Hip Hop Studies (GHHS) seeks not only to explore contemporary debates about breaking in the Olympics, but also to develop critical discourses that can offer insight to practitioners, cultural organizations and the International Olympics Committee (IOC) as we approach this landmark confluence. In this double issue, members of the global community of breaking scholars and practitioners have come together to present research and artist statements that engage local, regional and national perspectives. We intend for the first of these Special Issues, in particular, to serve as an intervention from hip hop stakeholders around the world, providing useful insights for those involved in this milestone moment, whether at a cultural community level or those working with intermediary institutions such as World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) and the IOC.