Breakdancing's Olympic debut inspires new generation of young breakers

Few people can say they found their callingin just three weeks, but few people are nine-year-old Jrmy Veilleux, who discovered his love for breakdancing almost instantly this summer.

"It became my passion," he said of his time learning the sport at the Studio Party Time summer camp in Quebec City.

He says he finds some of the moves difficult, but withmore practice and battles his favourite partit's getting easier.

Jrmy is one of several young dancers in Quebec City who are anxiously waiting to watch the best of the best breakers battle it out on the Olympic stage on Friday markingthe sport'sofficial debut in the Games and thefirst dance sport ever represented atthe competition.

"It's going to be really cool. I'm really excited to watch it,"Jrmy said.

Elliot Cardinal, 8, started breaking almost a year ago. He says he can't stop his feet from moving when he hears the music.

"It just gives me the urge to dance," he said.

Breakaway11:19Breaking's Olympic debut sparks excitement at Quebec City dance studio

Breaking - or break dancing - is making its Olympic debut in Paris! And, right here in Quebec City, there is a lot of hype at the "Studio Party Time" dance school in Quebec City. Guildo Griffin opened the studio in 1995, making it one of the first breaking dance schools of its kind. Now, Griffin is in Paris getting ready to watch the qualifications for the first Olympic breaking event in history. Before he jetted off, CBC's Mlina Lvesque had a chance to meet up with Griffin, his son, Kristopher, and some young breakers.

Elliot was inspired to take up the sport after watching competitionson TV.

But now, he has his sights set on an even bigger dream: competing at the Olympic level. He says he has what it takes to get there.

"I don't listen to what other people say. I concentrate on myselfand I tell myself I'm capable," he said.

Having fun being yourself

Guildo Griffin, founder of Studio Party Time, has been teaching breaking and hip-hop to dancers of all ages and levels since opening the school in 1995 the first of its kind in Quebec City.

A B-boy since age 14, Griffin opened the school to give dancers an alternative to ballet and jazz education.

"I wanted to be different and I wanted to be street style," he said.

His son, 28-year-old Kristopher Griffin, has beena trainer atStudio Party Time since he was 14. He says he tried a bunch of different sports growing up, but none made him feel as free as breaking.

"When you're breaking, you can have fun and just be yourself and do what youlike in yourmovement," he said.

He saidthat breaking in front of others takes courage and he's seen kids' confidence soarwhen they give it a try.

Henri Cormier, 6, is a first-time breaker. Already, he says his favourite thing to do is go on his head.

"Sometimes it hurts but it doesn't bother me," he said.

Inspired by 1984 Olympics

Griffin says it's a dream come true that breaking both an artform and a sport is finally being recognized at the Olympic level. And he's flying off to Paris to witness the historic moment.

"I have goosebumps on my arms and it's incredible. I don't have the words to say how I'm happy to be there, to see my passion for many, many, many years," he said.

It's a full circle moment for him, as his passion for breaking first began during the closing show of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

"Itwas LionelRichie [singing] All Night Long. They had a lot of B-boys and poppers who were dancing and I said to my brother, 'Iwanna do that,'" Griffin said.

After carving out a career in the sport for almost threedecades,Griffin will nowbe watching the B-boys' pre-qualifier battle androoting for Canadian breaking star and world champion Philip Kim, who competes asPhil Wizard.

"Isee the kids and they'redoing suchamazing things that I was not able to do at my prime," he said.

"Now it'sanother level and it'sfun and I'mso happy to see that."