The Olympic Games began nearly 3,000 years ago. The tournaments have changed much since then. Olympic athletes now wear clothes. (And we’re thankful!) Chariot races are gone, but new events are added frequently. Four types of competitors anticipate fully showing the crowds their skills for the first time at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Three of the four first appeared at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics—but those Games were delayed, and then some say under-represented due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
Break it down
Breaking (or break dancing) is a type of hip-hop that originated in the Bronx in New York. International break dancing competitions began in the 1990s, but this highly athletic street dance is getting its Olympic debut. This summer, 16 men and 16 women will battle it out in solo competitions, pulling off power moves like “flares” and “hopping turtles.” Phil Wizard is a contender for the men’s gold while artist Logistx is favored in the female category.
Rock on
Sport climbing or rock climbing athletes this year hope to receive full attention as a new sport—without a pandemic affecting their events. Climbers ascend an artificial rock-face wall by following a special route. Most routes are marked with rocks of a certain color. Climbing takes great upper body strength and leg power. Janja Garnbret trains about four hours daily in a rock climbing gym. She’s competing in the boulder and lead categories. Bouldering athletes don’t use harnesses when climbing the 14-foot walls. The lead category is especially tricky. These athletes climb without ever having seen the route they must follow.
Olympic kickflips
Park and street skateboarding will also take on Paris. For the park category, skateboarders perform tricks and stunts in three 45-second runs. Each boarder’s best run will count toward the final score. In this event, teenagers Kokona Hiraki and Gavin Bottger are expected to dominate. The other skateboarding event takes place on a course that looks like a regular street, complete with handrails, sidewalks, and stairs. That’s why it’s called a “street event.”
Surf’s up
Fans will have to go to a special arena to see the final sport: surfing. This competition can’t be held in Paris, so it’s off to Teahupo’o, Tahiti. Waves there can reach 22 feet. Since judges will critique how smoothly and quickly surfers perform tricks, the competitors will need all the speed they can get to shred these waves. Siqi Yang, at 14, is the youngest female competitor and the first Chinese surfer to compete in the Olympics. “I think she has a super rad future,” says coach Wade Sharp.
Why? God made humans “fearfully and wonderfully.” Watching the amazing things athletes can do is another opportunity to marvel at the Lord’s creativity.
By Bekah McCallum in Duluth, Georgia
