Breakdancing’s inclusion makes a ‘mockery’ of the Olympic Games

Australian squash great Michell Martin voiced her dismay at the IOC’s decision

Australian squash icon Michelle Martin branded the Olympics a “mockery” after confirmation that breakdancing will be included at the Paris 2024 Games.

Skateboarding, surfing and sport climbing were also added to the Olympic program in a bid to lure younger audiences, however, squash was once again overlooked. 

Martin, a three-time world champion, was dismayed by the decision and told the Australian Associated Press: “You just look at the whole thing and you just go ‘where’s the Olympics going?’ I know some people say breakdancing’s a sport but ... I don’t understand.

READ MORE: Breakdancing included at Paris 2024 Olympics

“It’s sort of making a mockery of what the Olympics is. When you look at what it all used to stand for, the Olympics, it definitely fits in the category. What does the Olympics stand for these days, I don’t really know."

Martin also admitted that she has almost given up hope entirely of ever seeing squash included in the Olympic program. 

“After the last ones, you get to the point where it’s almost expected,” she added. “Why? I don’t know because the amount of effort squash players put in.

“I know what it was like, training for the sport. It’s one of the hardest sports to train for and play. They’ve obviously got something against squash, because it’s been rejected in the past, it just keeps getting overlooked. I don’t know, I don’t know what to say.”

Breakdancing will be officially referred to as breaking at the Olympics, as it was initially called by pioneers in the US in the 1970s. 

Its inclusion comes after positive trials at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires and the event will be held at the prestigious Place de la Concorde in Paris.