The Paris 2024 Olympics will feature several new + new-ish sports: breaking, skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing, and 3x3 basketball.
Let’s explore what you need to know about these new events, their rules, and local places where you can try the sports. Plus, don’t forget to follow the games daily via KVUE.
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 Austin:
Breakdance Austin, 4201 S. Congress Ave., Austin | Fit for both advanced dancers and beginners, these classes will teach you everything from footwork and tricks to the history and culture of breakdancing.
Hope 4 Hip Hop Academy, 4619 S. Congress Ave. E., Austin | Geared towards children, training at this breakdance academy is specific to Olympic judging and competition categories.
Skateboarding
Stoked about skateboarding at the Summer Olympics? Us too. This sport is new-ish to the Games — it debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and it seems like 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 Austin:
Mabel Davis District Park, 3427 Parker Lane, Austin | An Austin staple since 2005, this is the city’s first skate park. Whether you’d like to test your skills or watch while you picnic on its grassy lawn, this gathering spot has something for everyone.
Heath Eiland and Morgan BMX Skate Park, 1213 Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin | Open during daylight hours, this 30,000-sqft concrete playground features a large skate bowl, a plaza, plenty of shade, and two pieces of skateable public art.
Mueller Skatepark + Pump Track, 3730 Manor Rd., Austin | A gem in the Mueller neighborhood, skaters praise this park for its design, two pump tracks, ample parking, and smooth concrete.
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 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 Austin:
Austin Bouldering Project, two locations | Take a class or inquire about personal coaching at this community hub, where climbing is about both fitness and fun.
Crux Climbing Center, multiple locations | You don’t need a reservation to reach new heights at this gym founded by Austin climbers. Psst — you can get a day pass for $12 when the temperature is above 100 degrees.
Mesa Rim Climbing Center, 1205 Sheldon Cove, Bldg. 3, Austin | This 50,000-sqft venue has it all: climbing walls, yoga programs, a fitness center, training areas, saunas, and more.
A photo of the uniforms that Olympians will wear while competing in surfing at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
Photo via Paris 2024 Pressroom
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 at these spots in Austin:
ATX Wakesurf, Lake Austin | We may not have an ocean in Bat City, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn to surf. Book a boat rental or be taught by an expert in a private lesson.
Lake Lessons, Lake Austin + Lake Travis | Operating since 2000, these instructors guarantee they’ll get an inexperienced wakesurfer up during the first lesson.
Waco Surf, 5347 Old Mexia Rd., Waco | If you’re willing to drive outside of Austin to catch a wave, this is the resort for you. You can book beginner, intermediate, advanced, and professional surf sessions on its two-acre surf lake.
3x3 Basketball
This sport also debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, however, 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 Austin:
Pease Park, 1101 Kingsbury St., Austin | Located in the heart of the west Austin oasis, the basketball court is normally bustling with Austinites playing a game of pickup.
Shipe Neighborhood Park, 4400 Avenue G., Austin | The Hyde Park green space is a hub for hoops, and there’s a wading pool nearby to cool off in after.
Austin Recreation Center, 1301 Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin | Its 7,000-sqft gym has six basketball goals, so there’s plenty of room for practicing trick shots or playing a quick game.
