Back then, breaking’s fundamental movements provided escapism and expression, competitive and spontaneous physical performance breathed to life by the dawning genre of hip-hop. But breaking — not “break dancing,” a term coined by media and disdained within the breaking community — no longer belongs solely to New York City. In Paris, Olympic breakers representing countries like Japan, Lithuania and Morocco will compete one-on-one in battles waged for a global television audience. Technology like VHS tapes, DVDs and video platforms like YouTube allowed breakers around the world to learn moves and iterate new ones. “That’s why I love it so much, because it’s never the same,” said Menno van Gorp, who will represent the Netherlands.

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Persons: DJ Kool Herc, Flash, ”, Beta, Martha Cooper, it’s, Menno van Gorp, “ It’s, It’s, Bull’s Organizations: YouTube, Summer Games Locations: Bronx, New York City, Paris, Japan, Lithuania, Morocco, Miami, Jamaica, Queens, nooks, Netherlands