To celebrate the inclusion of breaking at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Marble Arch London BID will be hosting a week long exhibition of the sport.
Breaking Marble Arch will take place between Monday 15 July and Friday 19 July adjacent to the Marble Arch monument with demonstrations each day between 12:30-1:30pm from Shahii, Chris and Chuckz, members of the award-winning breakdancing group the Gully LDN Squad.
The trio are part of the dynamic London-based breaking crew which was established in 2013. They are recent winners of the Breakmission 3x3s and have performed for the likes of Nike, Spotify and Adidas. As part of Breaking Marble Arch Shahii, Chris and Chuckz will perform some of the moves which will be on display at the upcoming Olympic Games.
Originating in the United States in the 1970s, Breaking is an urban dance style with roots in hip-hop culture which first took form in the lively block parties in the Bronx borough of New York. The sport is characterised by acrobatic movements, stylised footwork, and the key role played by the DJ and the MC during battles. Breaking has hosted international competitions since the 1990s, and after featuring in the Buenos Aires Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2018, it was added to the Paris 2024 Olympic programme.
The breaking competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will feature mens and womens events which will see 16 athletes face off in spectacular solo battles. Breakers will use a combination of power moves including windmills, the 6-step, and freezes as they adapt their style and improvise to the beat of the DJ’s tracks in a bid to secure the judges’ vote and win the first Olympic breaking medals.
Breaking Marble Arch wants to raise awareness of the newest Olympics sport with those living, working and visiting the area and develop their understanding about breaking and how they can get involved to help grow the sport in London.
Kay Buxton, Chief Executive, Marble Arch London BID, comments: “We are really excited to be hosting Breaking Marble Arch as we build up to the Olympic Games in Paris. Breaking is a fantastic sport which combines multiple disciplines and can be done by anyone anywhere.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Shahii, Chris and Chuckz to Marble Arch as they showcase some of the moves which will be on show in Paris. We encourage the whole community to come and see the talented trio in action.”
Chris Arias from Gully LDN Squad, said: “Gully LDN is excited to welcome a new audience to our scene, especially with breaking now being part of the Olympics. We aim to showcase how breaking has positively shaped us both physically and mentally. Join us in celebrating this dynamic sport and experience its transformative benefits.”
Born Barikor, Chair of Breaking GB, added: “At Breaking GB, our mission post-games is to continue fostering the growth and development of Breaking within the UK. We aim to build on the momentum from the games to inspire and support Breakers of all levels, promote diversity and inclusion, and create opportunities for community engagement and individual growth. Individuals and crews such as the Gully LDN Squad will play a vital role in the growth of our sport and we champion all events that inspire participation in Breaking.”
