Breaking’s Olympic Debut: Cultural Controversies and Performances

Breaking’s Olympic Debut: A Mixed Bag of Moments

The Olympic debut of breaking has sparked a lively discussion among viewers, particularly around its authenticity as a representation of hip-hop culture. Highlights from the event included moments that raised eyebrows, such as an Australian b-girl showcasing a meme-worthy “kangaroo” dance move and a Lithuanian athlete donning a durag while claiming silver.

Rachael Gunn, known as “b-girl Raygun,” is a 36-year-old professor from Sydney, Australia, who quickly gained internet fame, albeit not for her Olympic prowess. She exited the round-robin stage without scoring a single point, and her unique, unconventional moves appeared out of sync with the established skill level of her competitors. Gunn’s routine featured a distinctive pose where she raised one leg while standing, leaning back with her arms bent toward her ears. In another part of her performance, she laid on her side, reaching for her toes, and executed a flip followed by the same pose, which became known as the “kangaroo.”

With a PhD in cultural studies, Gunn’s LinkedIn profile emphasizes her interest in the cultural politics of breaking. She stated, “I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best — their power moves. What I bring is creativity.” Clips of her performance went viral on TikTok, but many viewers expressed discomfort at her portrayal of hip-hop and breaking culture on such a prestigious global stage. One user on X remarked, “It’s almost like they are mocking the genre.”

Controversies and Cultural Significance

Amidst the performances, many Black viewers voiced their concerns regarding Lithuania’s silver medalist, b-girl Nicka, whose real name is Dominika Banevič. She wore a durag during her battles, which sparked conversations about cultural appropriation and the historical significance of the garment. Originally worn by enslaved Africans to manage their hair while working, durags have evolved into a symbol of Black pride since the 1960s and 1970s, and they became an iconic part of hip-hop fashion in the late 20th century.

Banevič, a 17-year-old dancer, ultimately secured the silver medal after a fierce final against Japan’s b-girl Ami (Ami Yuasa). In reflecting on her journey, Banevič expressed gratitude towards the pioneers of breaking from the 1970s in the Bronx, referring to them as the OGs, or “original gangsters.” She stated, “It’s a huge responsibility to represent and raise the bar every time for breaking because they did an amazing job. Big respect for the OGs and the pioneers that invented all those moves. Without them, it wouldn’t be possible.”

Concerns Over the Future of Breaking

According to Zack Slusser, vice president of Breaking for Gold USA and USA Dance, the slips during the performance may have alienated too many new viewers and hindered the anticipated positive reception of breaking’s Olympic premiere. He remarked, “We need to change the narrative from yesterday’s first impression of breaking as an Olympic sport. There were significant organizational and governance shortcomings that could have been easily reconciled but, unfortunately, negatively impacted breaking’s first touching point to a new global audience.”

The challenge faced by Olympic organizers was to present breaking and hip-hop culture to a broad audience, including those skeptical about the dance’s inclusion in the Olympic roster. Many feared that the essence of the subculture would be diluted by commercial interests and rigid judging structures, which could undermine the spirit of breaking that has always thrived within local communities, often centered around street battles, cyphers, and block parties. Hip-hop originated as a youth movement in Black and brown communities in the Bronx, serving as a means of expression and empowerment during a time when these young people were often marginalized and labeled as lost or lawless by political figures in New York.