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Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Day
Jul 26
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
The official motto for the 2024 Paris Olympics is
"Games Wide Open" ("Ouvrons grand les jeux")
With an opening figure reminiscent of the famous Olympic rings, this 4 couple jig deserves a gold medal! This year, the 2024 Paris Olympics will feature an exciting new event that incorporates dance elements: Breaking, also known as breakdancing. This urban dance style, which originated in the Bronx during the 1970s, will make its official debut as an Olympic sport. The competition will include two events—one for men (B-Boys) and one for women (B-Girls)—where participants will showcase their skills in solo battles. These battles will involve a mix of power moves, footwork, and freezes, all performed to the beats provided by a DJ. Breaking was previously featured at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires and has been added to the Paris 2024 program due to its popularity and cultural significance! Who knows? Scottish Country Dancing might be next! 🏅 🏅 🏅
The Olympians
The Olympic Games trace their origins back to ancient Greece, where they were first held in 776 BCE in Olympia. These ancient games were a series of athletic competitions held in honor of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. Athletes from various Greek city-states would come together every four years to compete in events such as running, wrestling, boxing, and chariot racing. The games were not only a display of physical prowess but also a unifying event that fostered a sense of shared Hellenic identity and culture. The ancient Olympic Games continued for nearly 12 centuries until they were banned in 393 CE by the Roman Emperor Theodosius I, who viewed them as part of a pagan tradition.
The modern Olympic Games were revived in the late 19th century, thanks largely to the efforts of French educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin. Inspired by the ancient Greek tradition, Coubertin aimed to promote international understanding and peace through sports. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896, featuring 13 nations and 280 participants competing in 43 events. Since then, the Olympics have grown into a global phenomenon, with the Summer and Winter Games held every four years, attracting athletes from around the world. The Olympics continue to be a symbol of international unity, sportsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence.
For more on the new dance sport of Breaking, click the break dancer!
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
