'Nothing but positive': Coventry break dancer reacts to 'breaking' becoming Olympic sport
The sport will make its debut at the 2024 Paris Games
Last updated 19th Jul 2024
As 'breaking' - also known as break dancing - will feature at the Paris 2024 Olympics for the first time, we spoke to a Coventry-based breaker about what he thinks the news means for the sport.
Andrei Roman, originally from Romania, has been a professional breaker - or break dancer - for almost 20 years.
He says it's 'nothing but positive news' and hopes it will help provide more opportunities and growth for the sport.
"You could either use breaking as a tool to perform on theatre stages or to perform with different musicians or singers.
"Or you can choose the super athletic path and chase the Olympic journey," he says.
The tough physicality of breaking, combined with its creativity, make it a unique sport, says Andrei.
"It's definitely a whole body workout from head to toe.
"And then once you've learned the foundations, it's very much encouraged to find your own language, character and style."
And, like other sports, Andrei says breaking has real mental and physical health benefits: "It gives you a sense of feeling good, and that you've worked hard."
Andrei also says thanks to the Olympics, there could be more financial backing behind the sport. He hopes sports funds will now be available alongside arts funds.
He urges everyone to tune in to watch the best breakers in the world.
"It's going to be amazing. You're going to see some really incredible moves.
"It's art meeting sport at its finest."
The 2024 Paris Games will run from 26 July to 11 August.