Paris Olympics Says Goodbye to Baseball, Softball, and Karate, but Welcomes Breakdancing

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The Summer Olympics in Paris have already captured the attention of sports enthusiasts around the world. However, this year’s Olympic program comes with some notable changes. While we’ll be welcoming a new sport to the Olympic family, breakdancing, we’ll also be bidding farewell to three others. Baseball, softball and karate.

Baseball

Baseball, a sport that has had an on-again, off-again relationship with the Olympics, is once again taking its leave from the world’s biggest sporting stage. The sport first made its Olympic debut in Barcelona 1992, where Cuba claimed the gold medal. After being a part of the Olympic program for several years, baseball was removed after the Beijing 2008 Games. It made a brief comeback for Tokyo 2020, but unfortunately, it won’t be returning to Paris this year.

Baseball’s rich history in the Olympics has provided us with memorable moments and showcased the sport’s global appeal. From Cuba’s dominance to surprising upsets, baseball’s Olympic journey has been nothing short of exciting. However, as we move forward, we’ll have to look to other international tournaments to get our fix of Olympic-level baseball competition.

Softball

Softball, often considered baseball’s sister sport, is also bidding adieu to the Olympic arena this year. It didn’t make sense to lose baseball and not softball. The sport first joined the Olympic family in Atlanta 1996, where the United States clinched the gold medal. Since then, softball has followed a similar path to baseball in its Olympic journey.

After being a part of the Olympic program for several games, softball exited after the Beijing 2008 Games. Like baseball, it made a brief return four years ago at the Tokyo Games, rekindling hopes for its permanent inclusion. However, the Paris 2024 organizers have decided not to include softball in this year’s program, leaving fans and players alike disappointed. Like baseball, softball just doesn’t have a strong global appeal compared to other sports.

Karate

In a surprising turn of events, karate, which made its Olympic debut just last time in Tokyo, will not be returning for the Paris Games. The sport’s inclusion in Tokyo 2020 was met with great enthusiasm from martial arts fans worldwide. Karate’s Olympic events were divided into two categories – Kumite and Kata – further split by weight class and gender, offering a total of eight gold medals.

Despite its recent addition and the excitement it generated, karate’s Olympic journey has been cut short. The decision not to include karate in Paris 2024 has left many in the martial arts community disappointed, especially considering the sport’s global popularity and rich cultural significance.

The Paris Games Welcome Breaking!

While we say goodbye to three sports, the Olympic program is also evolving to include new ones. Making its Olympic debut in Paris 2024 is breaking, more commonly known as breakdancing. This urban dance style will feature two events – one for B-Boys and one for B-Girls.

Breaking first appeared on the Olympic circuit at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, where it garnered significant attention and praise. Its inclusion in the main Paris Olympics represents a bold step towards modernizing the Games and appealing to a younger, more urban audience. The addition of breaking showcases the Olympics’ commitment to embracing contemporary cultural expressions and expanding the definition of Olympic sports.

Other Notable Changes to Olympic Sports

While the departure of baseball, softball, and karate, along with the introduction of breaking, are the most significant changes to the Olympic program, there are other exciting developments worth noting:

1. New Events in Existing Sports
   The Paris Olympics will feature new events in some longstanding Olympic sports. For instance, Kayak Cross will be added to the Canoeing program, bringing an element of high-speed, head-to-head racing to the water. In Sailing, Kitesurfing will make its Olympic debut, showcasing the thrilling combination of wind power and athletic skill.
2. Return of Recent Additions
   Several sports that made their Olympic debuts in Tokyo 2020 will be returning for their second appearance in Paris. These include:
   • Skateboarding: The street and park events captivated audiences in Tokyo and are set to do so again in Paris.
   • Sport Climbing: This dynamic sport combines speed, bouldering, and lead climbing, testing athletes’ strength, agility, and problem-solving skills.
   • Surfing: The world’s top surfers will once again compete for Olympic medals, bringing the excitement of catching waves to the global stage.

The return of these sports further cements their place in the Olympic program and provides a platform for continued growth and development.

The 3 Sports That Were Dropped From Paris Games

The Olympic games are evolving and the changes to the Olympic program for Paris 2024 reflect this. While it’s sad to see sports like baseball, softball, and karate leave the Olympics, the introduction of breaking and new events in existing sports brings some fresh excitement and diversity to the competition.

These changes also highlight the International Olympic Committee’s efforts to keep the Games relevant, engaging, and representative of global sporting trends. By balancing tradition with innovation, the Olympics continue to captivate audiences worldwide and inspire new generations of athletes.

Which Olympic sports are you most excited to watch in Paris? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The 3 Sports That Were Dropped From Paris Games: baseball, softball, and karate. However, the Games also welcome breakdancing in an effort to modernize the event and attract younger audiences. #paris2024 #sportschanges #parisolympics… Share on X