Breakdancing worthy of Olympics, but Kabaddi and Chess aren't? Decoding the baffling Olympic Criteria

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The Olympics has gown across the horizons and Breakdancing has been introduced at the Paris Olympics.

Breakdancing was introduced at the 2024 Paris Olympics, sparking a debate about why some sports are included while others are left out. This decision has left many wondering why traditional and popular sports like Kabaddi or chess haven't been given the same opportunity.

Breakdancing's Olympic Journey

The inclusion of breakdancing in the Olympics is part of an effort to attract a younger audience. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) aims to modernise the Games by adding sports that resonate with today's youth. Breakdancing, with its roots in hip-hop culture, has very little connection with sports yet it was included at the Olympics.

Breakdancing's journey to the Olympics began in earnest after its successful appearance at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. The positive reception it received there played a significant role in its inclusion for Paris 2024. The IOC believes that breakdancing will bring a fresh and dynamic element to the Games.

But on the other hand, traditional sports such as Kabaddi and Chess haven't found any place.

Kabaddi's Struggle for Recognition

Kabaddi, a sport deeply rooted in Indian culture, has struggled to gain international recognition despite its popularity in South Asia. The sport requires agility, strength, and strategy, making it an exciting spectacle. However, it faces challenges due to limited global reach and lack of infrastructure outside its traditional strongholds.

Efforts have been made to promote Kabaddi on a global scale through events like the Pro Kabaddi League. Despite these efforts, the sport has yet to achieve the level of international exposure needed for Olympic consideration. The IOC looks for sports with widespread appeal and established international federations, which Kabaddi currently lacks.

The Case for Chess

Chess enthusiasts argue that their game deserves a spot in the Olympics due to its intellectual challenge and global popularity. Chess is played by millions worldwide and has a well-established governing body in FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs). Despite this, chess remains on the sidelines when it comes to Olympic inclusion.

The main argument against chess as an Olympic sport is that it lacks physical activity, which is traditionally associated with the Games. The IOC prioritises sports that require physical exertion and athleticism, criteria that chess does not meet. This has kept chess from being considered for Olympic status despite its rich history and widespread following.

Criteria for Olympic Sports

The process of selecting sports for the Olympics involves several criteria set by the IOC. These include factors such as youth appeal, gender equality, universality, and whether the sport has an established international federation. Sports must also demonstrate their ability to attract spectators and media attention.

The inclusion of new sports is part of the IOC's strategy to keep the Olympics relevant and engaging for future generations. By adding disciplines like breakdancing, skateboarding, and surfing, they hope to capture the interest of younger audiences who may not be as engaged with traditional sports.

The Western dominance behind Kabaddi and Chess' Exclusion?

While breakdancing's inclusion marks a shift towards modernisation, it also highlights the challenges faced by traditional sports like Kabaddi and chess in meeting the IOC's criteria. Kabaddi and Chess both are skill-based sports and both have a global presence, hence it is very difficult to understand their exclusion.

There have been questions on IOC's biases towards the Western culture as well. Kabaddi and Chess are mostly popular in India and other Asian countries, while Breakdancing is widely popular in the USA and other Western nations.

The debate over which sports should be included in the Olympics is likely to continue as new disciplines emerge and vie for recognition on this prestigious platform. But it is extremely baffling to swallow the reality of Kabaddi and Chess' exclusion when breakdancing gets the nod.

Another popular sub-continent sport Cricket is set to return at the LA Olympics in 2028. And probably the Indian Olympic Association must push for Kabaddi and Chess to follow suit in near future.