4 new sports at Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Over the years, we have seen some new olympic sports arise, whilst others are dropped. Whilst baseball and softball returned for the 2020 Games in Tokyo, they will not return this year. However, there will be four new sports on the horizon this summer that we are excited to see in Paris!

Skateboarding

Photo credits : Unsplash

Skateboarders will be judged on two terrains; Street and Park.

The street takes the form of an urban setting with staircases, rails and pavements, just like where skateboarders train in real life.

The park is a bowl-shaped terrain with curves and rounded shapes, allowing skateboarders to pick up speed and take off to perform different tricks. 

On the street, the athletes will perform five tricks in two 45-second runs, demonstrating their ability to master their boards.

In the park, the skaters will be graded on the speed and amplitude of the tricks they perform. 

They will have three 45-second runs.

The street event will take place on 27 and 28 July at the Place de la Concorde in Paris.

Surfing

Photo credits : Unsplash

Athletes will be surfing on a shortboard. Shorter than the classic surfboard, the shortboard is faster and easier to handle.

24 male and 24 female surfers will catch their waves in Tahiti, on the Teahupo'o spot, and will be marked by 5 judges, according to the different sequences and the style of their tricks, but also their speed, their power on the wave and the way they control the wave and circulate in it (the flow).

The surfing event is scheduled to run from 27 July to 30 July, but these dates are subject to change depending on the weather conditions.

Climbing

Photo credits : Unsplash

ㅤ

Sport climbing is a series of foot and hand holds on larger holds and elements, enabling the climber to move sideways to a distant hold.

Sport climbing is divided into three disciplines: speed, bouldering and difficulty.

These disciplines will be combined in 2 events for the Olympic Games: a speed event and a bouldering and difficulty event. 
ㅤ

Speed

Two climbers must scale a 15-metre high wall inclined at 5 degrees in less than 6 seconds for the men and 7 seconds for the women, in elimination duels.
ㅤ

Bouldering

The athlete must climb a 4.5-metre high wall without a rope and with a landing mat in case of a fall, but with as few attempts as possible.  
ㅤ

Difficulty

The aim is to climb a 15-metre wall as high as possible in 6 minutes, without knowing the route in advance. The further you climb, the more difficult the route.

Sport climbing will be presenting its speed and bouldering/difficulty events at the Parc sportif et scolaire du Bourget from 5 to 10 August.

Break dancing

Photo credits: Unsplash

ㅤ

Breaking is a style of dance that originated in the ghettos of the United States in the 1970s, stemming from hip hop culture and characterised by acrobatic movements and figures on the ground.

For the 2024 Olympics, 32 athletes have qualified. 

The competition will consist of a men's event of 16 men, the "B-Boys", and a women's event of 16 women, the "B-Girls".

Each participant will improvise movements such as coupoles (turning the legs around the body, keeping the bust on the ground), six-steps (the athlete's bust must not move and must remain facing forward, while his or her leg movements are made up of six steps). 

leg movements consist of 6 steps turning in one direction or the other), freezes (form of a position held for a few seconds) and many more, while adapting to the sound imposed by the DJ.

The battles will take place on Place de la Concorde on 9 and 10 August.
ㅤ

Are you feeling inspired? Then join our SportsShoes Strava Run Club and become part of our inclusive community.
And for more inspirational tips to become stronger, better and happier, then check out our Motivation category. Because it’s no fun standing still.