# To those who think breaking should not be in the Olympics: Chillax. Or shove off **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** olympic-sports-track\ **Created:** [August 13, 2024, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633 "2024-08-13T00:32:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/21 "2024-08-13T05:21:54Z")
The complaints in the Olympics thread about competitors using stage names or even (gasp!) numbers were deeply idiotic. “Using a stage name delegitimizes it as a sport.” Says who? That’s just some random things you made up because it’s not how things were done back when you wore an onion on your belt. Tell me you’re a crotchety old person without saying you’re a crotchety old person. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/22 "2024-08-13T05:26:52Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Many Black Americans aren’t happy with it: > > [Black People: Australian Breaking Prof is A Mockery](https://www.theroot.com/was-breaking-at-the-paris-olympics-a-mockery-of-a-black-1851619585) Ah, the monolithic Black community. “People are saying” indeed. I’m sure some found her performance offensive. Does “many” mean a majority? A dozen? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/23 "2024-08-13T06:29:45Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Many Black Americans aren’t happy with it: When a sbuculture creates a new artistic genre (jazz, rap, samba, tejano, whatever), either it stays within the subculture, or it goes mainstream to some degree. Mainstream means success and recogniztion, but it also means that people outside the subculture will try it and have some influence on how it develops. I don’t think it’s realistic to try to have it both ways. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/24 "2024-08-13T07:19:10Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I don’t think that any judged sport should be in the Olympics, and yes, that includes figure skating, synchronized swimming, and most gymnastics. > [@GuanoLad](#): > > also think sports requiring a judging panel should be eliminated from the Olympics. The Olympic motto is ‘faster higher stronger’. Therefore I agree that means that judging ‘artistry’ should not be part of the current Olympics. (To give an example, for me synchronised swimming is out, but holding your breath underwater would be in!) Why not have a separate competition called the Artistic Olympics?! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/25 "2024-08-13T08:52:27Z")
I’m not old or crotchety. I can be cranky occasionally. No other “sport” has stage names listed on the screen. Numbers or otherwise. Nicknames are not for official scores. Fine for other times like street dancing or stage performances. But not an Olympic sport. If it were one. This, the clothing gear, and musical interpretation will make it _never_ be in the Olympics, IMO. Who said Rhythm gymnastics was like breakdancing is wrong. Rhythm is the ribbon thing. The floor excercise in regular gym. is what you’re thinking of. But that has certain skills that must be accomplished. It’s very minimally self expression. Too much and you get deductions. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/26 "2024-08-13T09:09:21Z")
> [@glee](#): > > [ > The Olympic motto is ‘faster higher stronger’. > Therefore I agree that means that judging ‘artistry’ should not be part of the current Olympics. > (To give an example, for me synchronised swimming is out, but holding your breath underwater would be in!) > > Why not have a separate competition called the Artistic Olympics?! _Olympians’s Got Talent_? (Disclaimer: I haven’t been watching the Olympics, and this thread is the first I’ve heard of it) ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/27 "2024-08-13T13:38:36Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Nicknames are not for official scores. Fine for other times like street dancing or stage performances. But not an Olympic sport. If it were one. According to what rule book? Again that’s just something you made up. For reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/28 "2024-08-13T14:30:38Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Who said Rhythm gymnastics was like breakdancing is wrong. Yes, I said that. And I know it’s the one done with ribbons/balls/clubs/hoops. I also know that it requires precision, fine muscle control, timing, hand/eye coordination, and a lot of other things that are not noticeable to a casual observer, not as forceful as Simone Biles flying around the uneven parallels. As with ballet, rhythmic gymnastics requires enormous effort to make every routine look effortless. And breakdancing also has that second layer to it: gotta follow the beat, but _not_ with a pre-planned routine. If you still don’t agree with me, okay, you don’t. But I’m not sure where you get the authority to declare things “wrong”. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/29 "2024-08-13T14:38:48Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Nicknames are not for official scores. Fine for other times like street dancing or stage performances. But not an Olympic sport. If it were one. Don’t soccer players routinely use nicknames? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/30 "2024-08-13T16:51:04Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > If you think breaking should not be an Olympic sport, I assume you feel the same way about artistic swimming and rhythmic gymnastics Yes, I do. And not only do I wish all judged events (figure skating, gymnastics, diving, half pipe etc) be removed, I will go farther, or further, and opine all team sports be removed. Olympics should be individual, measurable, challenges. Relay races are OK to keep. I have spoken! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/31 "2024-08-13T16:54:51Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > If you think breaking should not be an Olympic sport, I assume you feel the same way about artistic swimming and rhythmic gymnastics. Yes, you are correct, I do feel the same way. All of these should be removed from the Olympics. They are wonderful, great, artistic things. But they do not belong. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/32 "2024-08-13T17:01:59Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Don’t soccer players routinely use nicknames? Yes, and particularly true of Brazilian players. Pelé, one of the greatest players of all time, was named Edson Arantes do Nascimento. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/33 "2024-08-13T17:05:38Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > She clearly does not have the skill or athletic ability of her younger opponents in the Olympics. She went three rounds and received zero points. She’s most famous for being so bad. But hey, we’re talking about her, so she did something right. Apparently she beat every other woman from Australia who was interested in Breaking at the Olympics. No shit, she went in front of judges, did her routine, the others did their routines and they picked Raygun as “the best”. Anyways, I think Breaking is no better or worse than other demonstration sports. The people who win were doing some fun stuff, let’s have more of that. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/34 "2024-08-13T17:13:15Z")
It’s not my cup of tea and had no desire to watch it, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be an Olympic event. It certainly is an athletic endeavor ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/35 "2024-08-13T17:21:58Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Apparently she beat every other woman from Australia who was interested in Breaking at the Olympics. No shit, she went in front of judges, did her routine, the others did their routines and they picked Raygun as “the best”. I hate to think Australia is so bad. But I guess they are. ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/36 "2024-08-13T17:36:16Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I’m sure some found her performance offensive. Does “many” mean a majority? A dozen? At least 5 people on Twitter and one person on TikTok equals “many” apparently. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/37 "2024-08-13T17:39:49Z")
Well, now that the door is open, why not include square dancing, line dancing, jazzercise, ballet, tap dance, and the hokey-pokey? I get why some may be defensive about the mocking of this new “sport” as it appeared in the Paris Olympics, but if this activity is going to be shown at the highest level of visibility in the world, you gotta expect some people will say it is out of place on such a stage. You either need to chill and accept the criticism along with the accolades, or, you know, shove off. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/38 "2024-08-13T17:46:57Z")
I watched a bit of it, but it was so repetitious, I got bored and moved on to other things. I did see a Lithuanian (Latvian?) girl who was so cringingly embarassing in her presentation I was almost surprised that she didn’t perform in blackface. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/39 "2024-08-13T17:53:58Z")
I’ll be shoving off now… ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633/40 "2024-08-13T18:11:40Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Well, now that the door is open, why not include square dancing, line dancing, jazzercise, ballet, tap dance, and the hokey-pokey? If those had the same gymnastic skills as breaking, I’d agree. I think you’re completely missing what sets breaking apart from every one of your examples. Now, contemporary/lyrical dancing is similar to breaking in that you have a lot of gymnastic moves in it, and I think you could make a case for it in the Olympics. I said before I’m a dance dad. My daughter not only takes dance lessons at her academy, but also tumbling due to that element being present in a couple of dance styles. Essentially, you have to do the same training you’d do for some of the existing Olympic events. That’s why they’re viable. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-breaking-should-not-be-in-the-olympics-chillax-or-shove-off/1005633.md?page=3)