Canadian breakdancers are expressing mixed feelings about the danceform moving closer to becoming an Olympic sport B次元官网网址� with some enthusiastic about the possibility and others concerned it may alter the underground culture around the activity.

Known more commonly as breaking, the dance is being considered for the 2024 Games in Paris, with a final decision expected in December 2020.

Mandy Cruz, a 22-year-old breaker in Toronto, said sheB次元官网网址檚 excited at the prospect.

B次元官网网址淚t was a really great moment that dance is being recognized as a sport, because itB次元官网网址檚 very physically demanding and you do have to train your body like an athlete,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎 lot of people overlook dancing, like itB次元官网网址檚 an easy hobby.B次元官网网址�

Cruz said she was curious to see how breaking would be judged if it becomes an Olympic sport. Since itB次元官网网址檚 also an artform, she said it canB次元官网网址檛 be judged on athleticism alone. In typical B次元官网网址渂reak battles,B次元官网网址� judges also look for creativity and originality, she said.

And while even the possibility of becoming an Olympic sport could raise the profile of the activity, Cruz said she believes breaking will continue to be important at a local level.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of people of colour going to this culture, because thereB次元官网网址檚 oppression going on around them,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of things going on around them in this world that (breaking) is just an outlet for.B次元官网网址�

Caerina Abrenica, an instructor with the Toronto B-Girl Movement, which supports young girls in the danceform, said a spot in the Olympic games could help boost female representation in breaking.

B次元官网网址淗aving a b-girl category in the Olympics would allow more b-girls worldwide to see the potential of where women are taking it in the dance,B次元官网网址� she said.

Some breakers, however, are concerned about the potential elevation to the Olympic level.

B次元官网网址淚s it going to be celebrating (breakersB次元官网网址�) diversity? Or is this a platform that shows thereB次元官网网址檚 something great that comes out of (the culture) but itB次元官网网址檚 predominantly owned or taken up by people who are more privileged,B次元官网网址� asked Nick Nyguyen, the owner of a breaking studio in Halifax.

Marcelino B次元官网网址淔rostflowB次元官网网址� DaCosta, a breaker and president of the Ground Illusionz breaking crew, was also uncertain.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not a sport B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 a dance, itB次元官网网址檚 an artform,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址漈here are athletic qualities to it, but the heart and essence of what this is, itB次元官网网址檚 a dance.B次元官网网址�

DaCosta said he worried the dance could stray too far from its foundation if it becomes an Olympic event.

But Mary Fogarty, an associate professor with the department of dance at York University, said conversations on the evolution of breaking have been going on since the 80s.

B次元官网网址淭he style has already changed significantly B次元官网网址� So I donB次元官网网址檛 see the form being transformed that much,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址漈hese dances will always happen on the local level, it will always happen on the street and it will always have different (meaning) for people who are marginalized.B次元官网网址�

Breaking started as one of the pillars of hip-hop culture in New York City in the 70s. Since then it has transformed into a competitive, collaborative activity around the world.

It was a medal event last October at the Buenos Aires Youth Summer Games. And Olympic organizers have said they are considering having competitions with 16 athletes in menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 medal events if breaking gets approved for the 2024 Paris Games.

Having the dance become an Olympic sport would take it to new audiences, Fogarty said, while also giving wider exposure to breakers around the world.

B次元官网网址淭his is probably the best thing that could happen for the breaking scene internationally.B次元官网网址�

Lidia Abraha, The Canadian Press

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