With new sports and events added to the Olympic lineup every four years, it’s hard to keep track of what’s new and what’s not. The Paris Olympic Games is no different and is set to deliver another shake-up.
The 2024 Games feature one new sport, Breaking, and while 3x3 Basketball, Surfing and Sport Climbing might seem like new additions, they are returning for their second appearance after debuting at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Breaking debuts
Breaking, commonly known as breakdancing, is included at the Olympics for the first time in Paris.
Breaking is unique as competitors, referred to as ‘B-Girls’ and ‘B-Boys’, don’t know the music ahead of time and must improvise their moves to the beat.
Debuting at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Breaking was chosen for Paris 2024 as a new sport. However, this may be the only Olympic showing with the sport not selected to return for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Competition starts: 9 August
Medal events: 9 and 10 August
Aussies to Watch: Jeff Dunne, Rachael Gunn
New events to traditional Olympic sports
Athletics - marathon race walk mixed relay
Aussies to watch: Jemima Montag, Rebecca Henderson, Olivia Sandery, Declan Tingay, Kyle Swan, Rhydian Cowley
Boxing - an additional weight class for women (and changes to the existing men's and women's weight classes)
Aussies to watch: Caitlin Parker, Marissa Williamson Pohlman, Monique Suraci, Tiana Echegaray, Tina Rahimi, Tyla McDonald
Canoe Slalom - kayak cross
Aussie to watch: Noemie Fox
Sailing - men's and women's kite foil
Aussies to watch: Breiana Whitehead and Grae Morris
Shooting - mixed skeet team
Aussies to watch: Aislin Jones, Joshua Bell
Which Tokyo 2020 debut sports are making their return?
Surfing's satellite Olympics
Surfing made its Olympic debut in Tokyo, but it won’t come to Paris. Instead, Surfing will take place over 15,000kms away from the French capital in Teahupo’o, located on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia. The island is known for its beautiful but heavy and challenging waves.
In Tokyo, the Australian Surfing team - the Irukandjis – snagged the first ever Olympic medal in Surfing thanks to Owen Wright’s bronze in the men’s event. His sister, Olympic debutant Tyler Wright, is one of four Aussies who aim to replicate this feat, if not better this in Tahiti.
Competition starts: 27 July
Medals: 30 July
Aussies to watch: Tyler Wright, Molly Picklum, Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing.
Skateboarding’s back!
After its debut in Tokyo, Skateboarding returns to the world stage in Paris, promising thrilling performances and fierce competition. Australia made a mark on the new Olympic sport in Tokyo with Keegan Palmer clinching gold in the men's park event.
The 2024 Games will host two skateboarding events: street and park. Skaters perform tricks including jumps (ollies), flips and mid-air spins on a 'street-like' course (street event) and a hollowed-out course (park event).
Competition starts: 27 July
Medal events: 27, 28 July (street); 6, 7 August (park)
Aussies to watch: Chloe Covell, Arisa Trew, Keefer Wilson, Kieran Woolley, Liv Lovelace, Ruby Trew, Haylie Powell, Keegan Palmer (reigning Olympic champion in park) and Shane O’Neill.
Sport Climbing shakes it up with more medals
After wowing audiences worldwide, Sport Climbing is back with more medals on offer. At the Paris Games, the number of athletes also increases from 40 to 68, and competition is divided into two events: a bouldering and lead combined event and a speed event.
In the speed event, athletes climb side-by-side up a 15-metre wall, racing for time. The event focuses on efficiency and technique, normally lasting five to seven seconds with the fastest time winning.
In bouldering, athletes climb fixed routes, without ropes. Each route is a ‘puzzle’ climbers need to solve in the fewest attempts possible.
Lead climbing requires athletes to reach the highest point on the wall within six minutes. Climbing as high as they can up a unique 15m wall on a rope, climbers are scored on the number of holds they reach, with higher holds having more value.
These two events offer a maximum of 100 points each, with the combined total determining the overall ranking.
Australia will compete in the bouldering and lead events.
Competition starts: 5 August
Medal events: 7, 8 August (Speed); 9, 10 August (Bouldering and Lead)
Aussies to watch: Campbell Harrison, Oceania Mackenzie
3x3 Basketball shooting for gold
Introduced in Tokyo 2020, 3x3 Basketball returns for its second Olympic appearance. This fast-paced, half-court version of basketball was a hit in Tokyo, offering dynamic and exciting gameplay.
With three players per team on court, 12-second shot-clocks, 10-minute games and both teams shooting for the same hoop it’s sure to be a fan favourite. Australia is represented in the women’s event by the Gangurrus, marking Australia’s first Olympic appearance in the event.
The Gangurrus women have recorded podium-placings on the lead into the Paris Games, claiming bronze at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup.
Competition starts: 30 July
Medal events: 5 August
Aussies to watch: Anneli Maley, Alex ‘Ally’ Wilson, Lauren Mansfield and Marena Whittle.
At Tokyo 2020 there were new sport disciplines to traditional Olympic sports, which will all be making their return at Paris 2024.
Swimming - 800m freestyle (men), 1500m freestyle (women), 4x100m medley relay (mixed)
Archery - team (mixed)
Athletics - 4x400m relay (mixed)
Cycling - BMX freestyle park (men and women)
Cycling - track madison (men and women)
Fencing - team sabre (men), team foil (women)
Judo - team (mixed)
Table Tennis - doubles (mixed)
Triathlon - relay (mixed)
The new and returning sports in Paris promise to bring fresh excitement and showcase the evolving nature of the Games. As athletes prepare for their moment on the world stage, fans can look forward to witnessing the dynamic and diverse talents of competitors from around the globe.
Sarah Dyce
