Breakdancing has come to the Olympics, but without the "dancing" to honor the original name. While breaking has always been a competitive activity, it now has a judging rubric because you have to base the gold medal on something. Here's an explanation from the NY Times daily newsletter:
Nine judges score the competition, using five criteria: execution (the ability to land moves cleanly), musicality (syncing the moves with the beat), originality (capacity for improvisation and creativity), technique (maintaining physiological control) and vocabulary (the range and quality of moves). The breakers do not know what music they will be dancing to beforehand, which allows for spontaneity.
And the judges have three misbehavior buttons they can use to deduct points for specific types of infractions. It is hard to consider these "misbehaviors" affecting the outcome of other athletic events. From the 133-page (!) World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) Breaking Rules and Regulations Manual:
Button 1 (Mild): A Mild Misbehavior is defined as an accidental, unintentional, or non-aggressive act or gesture.
Button 2 (Moderate): A Moderate Misbehavior is defined as a non-violent, but intentional act or gesture meant to intimidate or otherwise degrade a specific person (or people).
Button 3 (Severe): A Severe Misbehavior is defined as an intentional act or gesture which is overtly aggressive, violent, or sexual in nature.
While there are complaints about cultural appropriation, as there always will be, I think this lacks some authenticity if the competitors are not performing on a worn out piece of cardboard.
