Showered With Criticism, The Paris Olympics Chosen Breakdancing To Attract The Young Generation

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Paris 2024 Olympics Committee Tony Estanguet stated that the decision to compete with breakdancing in this grand sporting event is to attract the younger generation and grow more audiences in the internet era.

Breakdancing is one of four new sports to be contested at the 2024 Paris Olympics alongside surfing, skateboarding and wall climbing after being ratified by the International Olympic Committee earlier this month.

Although the competition for breakdancing has drawn criticism, Estanguet claims that many responses tend to be supportive.

"What makes us interested in this sport is its appeal to the younger generation. This is a sport that is widely consumed through digital platforms, especially by the younger generation," Estanguet said in an interview quoted by Reuters on Thursday evening.

"It's impressive what athletes do both technically and physically, that's what makes us interested in the sport and the feedback so far has been pretty good."

"Of course there are some criticisms, but overall ... From several regions in France, there is a positive response to the competition for breakdancing as a new sport," he added.

Estanguet stated that the committee has been trying to find a new sport to expand the reach of the 2024 Paris Olympics and breakdancing is considered eligible because it has been included in the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.

"We found wall climbing, skateboarding, surfing and breakdancing, so we added events that come from a different world, with fans who may not be directly connected to Olympic fans in general," said Estanguet.

"This decision will open up opportunities for us to expand the reach of fans and audiences," he added.