The Paris 2024 Olympics will feature several new + newish sports: breaking, skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing, and 3x3 basketball. Let’s explore what you need to know about these new events and their rules; stay tuned to KGW’s coverage of the Olympics so you don’t miss a moment.
Ah, we can just picture that Olympics podium and those shiny medals now.
Breaking
Breaking (aka breakdancing) is making its Olympic debut after a resounding success in the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Rooted in hip-hop culture, breaking originated in the US and dates back to the 1970s.
In Paris, the sport will be split up into separate events for men and women (but the judging criteria will be the same). Here’s what to know:
- The three main elements are top rock, down rock, and freeze. Check out how each of these moves are performed.
- Athletes (aka breakers) compete in a 1x1 format (which is why a competition is often called a “battle”). The breakers take alternate turns or “throw-downs” performing their routines. Each throw-down can last up to 60 seconds.
- The breakers’ throw-downs will be judged on personality, technique, creativity, variety, performativity, and musicality.
Breaking battles will take place on Friday, Aug. 9 and Saturday, Aug. 10 at La Concorde in the heart of Paris.
Ready to bust a move? Hip hop yourself over to one of these spots to try breaking in Portland:
Vitalidad Movement Arts Center | Calling all b-boys and b-girls — join instructor Walle for a drop-in class for $20 or 10 classes for $170 to keep your moves looking fresh.
Hip Hop Soulsation Academy | This studio offers close-knit relationships and the room to learn and grow in your abilities.
MVP Dance Elite | If you’re intent on taking it to the next level, this school can help you accomplish your goals.
Summertime just means more hours to skate.
Photo by Finetooth
Skateboarding
Stoked about skateboarding at the Summer Olympics? Us too. This sport is newish to the Games — it debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and it seems it’s here to stick. The world’s greatest skateboarders — including many from California repping Team USA (we see you, Bryce Wettstein + Nyjah Huston) — will compete in two disciplines across preliminary and final events: park + street skating.
Park goes down on a course featuring bends + bowls, and Olympians gather speed to get that sweet air. What to know:
- Athletes will perform three, 45-second runs.
- Skaters will be judged by the height and speed of their tricks.
- Their best score of their three runs will be counted as their final round score.
Street takes place on a straight course that mimics a street with stairs, handrails, and other bells + whistles to make it look like the streets where skateboarding first began. What to know:
- Olympians will perform two, 45-second runs and five tricks during each run.
- They’ll be judged on their tricks and how well they control their boards.
Skateboarding events will take place at La Concorde beginning Saturday, July 27.
Ready to ride? Here’s where you can channel your inner thrasher and try sk8ing in Portland:
Ed Benedict Skatepark | Get ready to grind and ollie across 18,000 sqft of concrete, featuring ledges, edges, stairs, and banks. Fun fact: Construction used recycled and/or sustainable materials, plus native landscaping and on-site stormwater treatment, so it’s considered to be the world’s first environmentally sensitive skate plaza.
Gabriel Park Skatepark | This large set-up has humps and bumps with bowls on either end, offering chances to get some serious air or just enjoy a smooth ride.
Beaverton Skatepark | Half-pipe or rails — this suburban hangout has a little bit of everything.
It’s a race to the top.
Photo by @michaelfoosh, climbing by @connormcarroll
Sport Climbing
This new Olympic sport is going to rock your world. Similar to skateboarding, sport climbing made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games, it’s also here for the long haul. Before you gather your pom poms to cheer on the climbers of Team USA, here’s everything you need to know about sport climbing.
This sport is hosted in three formats: bouldering, speed climbing, and lead climbing.
Bouldering
- Athletes will try to reach the top of a ~15-ft wall via a route or “bouldering problem” in as few attempts as possible in a given period of time.
- Climbers are scored + subsequently ranked based on how many boulders they top, zone holds they reach, and number of attempts. If a climber reaches the top of the boulder during their first attempt, this is considered a “flash” and guarantees them the maximum score for that boulder problem.
Speed
- Athletes will attempt to scale a 49-ft wall as quickly as possible.
- Results are based on time, and athletes climb in pairs. The speed walls have two lanes that climbers scale simultaneously, beginning at the sound of a buzzer. At the top of each lane, athletes must hit the contact point that stops their clock.
- In seedling rounds, athletes are ranked by their times. During elimination rounds, athletes compete head-to-head.
Lead
- Athletes will attempt to scale a 49-ft wall. They are given one attempt and a six-minute time limit. They’re also are given six minutes prior to their climbing attempt to study the wall.
- As climbers ascend the wall, they must clip the rope that is attached to their harness into quickdraws.
- Each lead route includes a minimum of 40 holds + only the highest 40 are assigned point values. If a climber reaches the top hold, they will receive 100 points.
Sport climbing events will take place at Le Bourget between Monday. Aug. 5 and Saturday, Aug. 10.
Psst — are you wondering what equipment is used to keep climbers safe? Check out this guide.
Feeling boulder? Here’s where you can harness your inner climber in Portland:
Movement Portland | Clip in and get to exploring 30,500 sqft of climbing space.
Portland Rock Gym | This gym has been a mainstay on the local climbing scene for more than 30 years, plus the new Beaverton location is the largest facility in the country by footprint at 64,000 sqft.
The Circuit Bouldering Gym | You can test your grip on a wide range of terrains and 225+ routes.
Surfing
We’re amped for this one, too. Surfing debuted at the Tokyo Games and is back to catch more waves at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Here’s the break(down):
- Olympians will compete on shortboards — a faster, maneuverable board perfect for pros to show off their gnarly skills.
- Olympians will perform tricks and five judges will score them based on the variety, type, and difficulty of their those tricks — think speed, power + flow.
- The athletes will compete across several rounds, then quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal matches.
- Team USA’s surfing team features five athletes vying for gold.
Surfing events will take place at the iconic surfing spot Teahupo’o in Tahiti — 9,000+ miles away from Paris — beginning Saturday, July 27.
Ready to hang ten and hopefully not wipeout? Try surfing with these local groups:
Up North Surf Club | Looking to get outfitted before heading for the beach? This small brand’s shop on North Killingsworth Street has boards + beers for sale and is a great place to meet people who also love to ride the barrel and get pitted.
Babes On Waves | Rain or shine and definitely when the water’s cold, this nonprofit’s mission is to “empower women with opportunity, skill development, and an inclusive community to strengthen the presence of women surfers locally and abroad.” Sounds pretty chill to us.
Oregon Surf Adventures | Whether you’re looking for lessons or a full-fledged surf camp, this Seaside-based outfit can help you catch that wave.
3x3 Basketball
This sport also debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics — although, there have been several iterations of the event at Youth Olympic Games over the years.
The Olympic sport takes inspiration from urban street basketball. Here’s how the Olympians will ball in Paris:
- 3x3 Basketball is played on one-half of a basketball court; there are two teams, each with three players. They attack + defend the same hoop.
- The first team to reach 21 points or the highest score in 10 minutes wins.
- Teams will compete in several men’s + women’s pool rounds, followed by play-in games, semifinals, and medal matches.
- Team USA’s men’s 3x3 Basketball roster features Jimmer Fredette, Canyon Barry, Kareem Maddox, and Dylan Travis.
- Team USA’s women’s 3x3 Basketball roster features Cameron Brink, Cierra Burdick, Rhyne Howard, and Hailey Van Lith.
3x3 Basketball events will be played at La Concorde with games beginning Tuesday, July 30.
Dreaming of being a baller? Perfect your swish at these local basketball courts around Portland:
Baller Park | Assemble your crew — and head to this outdoor court which hosts youth tournaments every Saturday. You’ll also find food carts, beer, and sometimes DJs.
YMCA of Columbia-Willamette | This gym’s many locations are great for playing a pick-up game or two and meeting new people.
Irving Park | New York City has Rucker Park — Rip City has these courts in Northeast Portland, where the kings and queens of the crossover show off their skills daily.
