Physicists Break Down the Newest Sports at the 2024 Olympics

What are the physics present at the Olympics? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly with the help of Charles Liu, explore the science in some of the newest additions to the Games with pro-breakdancer RoxRite and freestyle BMX rider Nikita Ducarroz.

What is the physics of breakdancing? We break down some of the most popular moves on the breakdance floor and what makes it so difficult. How does the scoring system work for breakdance? How do you turn a style of dance into an official sport? Learn about the history of breakdancing and how it is making its Olympic debut on the Paris stage.

What differentiates motocross from freestyle BMX? We drop into some of the crazy moves BMX riders are doing and how the bike, the ramp, and their momentum influence their tricks. Learn what makes for a good freestyling course and the trajectory of the sport in its second Olympics.

Charles Liu joins us to break down the physics we heard from Rox and Nikita, drawing parallels between the two sports. We explore how generating torque allows the athletes to complete their moves, the forces at play, and The Tennis Racket Theorem. We discuss how these spinning moves operate on the same physics as our space telescopes in orbit. Can Charles break Neil out of his conviction that the only Olympic sports should be ones you’d see on a Grecian urn?

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: Paris Olympics
1:54 - Learning About Breaking with RoxRite
6:10 - The Rules to Breakdancing
8:20 - The Headspin & Spin Stabilization
14:18 - Freestyling & Friction
20:19 - Breaking at The Olympics
22:11 - Learn about Freestyle BMX with Nikita Ducarroz
29:09 - Physics on the Ramps
33:52 - BMX in Paris
35:26 - Breaking it Down with Charles Liu

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[StarTalk]

Which 2024 Olympic sport are you most excited for?

[theslantedroomstudios]

As a 32 year old breaker in Tucson, Arizona, this was by far the best StarTalk episode I have ever watched. Hip-Hop has finally made it to the world stage in sports, and the culture has truly revolutionized how we perceive athletes. My heart is full of joy, thank you all for covering this topic.

[mawandekolele]

StarTalk having B-Boy Roxrite on it was not on my bingo card today. I been watching b-boying since I was a kid, this means something to me

[BlackArrowGaming]

The ability of Charles Liu to explain complex topics with simple, easy-to-understand examples (such as the broom example used in this episode) is honestly astounding. Our world is better place thanks to science communicators like him!

[diegon]

35:24 why did Niel started talking like mike Tyson all of the sudden?

[asquare]

Did Neil go to the dentist before this video was made? This is pretty good stuff. In Latin, the word "torquere" means twisting/turning.

[shadowonex]

Breaking dancing helped solve many issues WITHOUT physical harm and was a way to street violence and gang rivalry. It is sad it's not as popular as it used to be and for that i remain thankful to Olympics for accepting it and help boost its return to popularity.

[brianjones]

Very cool! As a mechanic I always flip my tool in the air on the way from or back to the tool box. There are tools that spin as you would expect and land back in the hand in the correct orientation. There are other tools that if you flip it it will land opposite of how you originally held it and if you work with tools a lot you know you can just flip it and know it will be useful in the new orientation. Saves time and if others are around you look cool doing it =]

[weedfreer]

You guys NEED to get UK BMXer Kieran Riley on the show.

Firstly, because his accent will mess with Chuck and Neil, but, secondly because he was the first to pull a triple flair flip.

[brianjones]

Chuck!! "what's your spin on this" I love how you caught the serious people off guard =]

[Pros]

It would have been so cool if the athletes showed video clips of their own performances to explain things more visually.

[xpndblhero]

As a 41 yr old BMX rider, I appreciate that it's finally accepted as an Olympic Sport but also saddened by it because it kind of makes BMX look like it's only park riding but in reality it's a street sport that turned into a really crazy event, especially when you have heavy hitters in the lineup.... They make BMX look so good. ❤😂

[findango]

It's great to see the things of my youth (I grew up in the 80s, born in the 70s) being showcased like this. On top of it, these fit so well due to the incredibly physicality, but they also present well. I think these will be a fun addition to the Olympic Stage and it does bring about unity.

[jefreestyles]

One thing they may have missed regarding breakdance battles is that the athlete has to take their opponents moves into account as well in real time with the music. Can't copy or bite their opponent's move(s) without doing it better.

[songOmatic]

"Gimme a long enough lever and I will bus' a move"

- MC Arkameedees

[robinmiller]

Having fun listening to the new games being introduced into the Olympics. I always thought of break dancing as a form of gymnastics, without all the dangerous equipment! Cheers

[PhilinBrazil]

what an amazing episode. i am 42 so these two sports were a huge part of my teenage years. these two guests were both respectful and knowledgeable. great chat!!!

[dancor]

❤❤❤ Bmx concrete vs wood ramps. The wood give... requires more air pressure, 110 psi. Concrete ramps 60 psi. BMX has multiple disciplines. Dirt jumps, freetyle park, freestyle street, freestyle flatland, and bmx racing. Each requires different bike geometry and physical abilities. Check a bmx race bike gearing chart for torque and roll out. From the size of tire to the length of the chain, make a difference. Very interesting... thanks for taking on bmx, and I would love to hear more. Bmx Olympics has elevated tremendously. Also, the track and ramp builders are very smart people. They understand engineering and physics combined with a person physical ability... again thanks for this topic...

[ll]

For a brief period in 1981 when I was 11 I wanted to do BMX, had a Diamondback, we would go out to The Pits, a bunch of bike trails in an old mining pit next to the dump in Selkirk, Manitoba, they're still there, the dump is gone. I wiped out bad one day, broke a couple ribs and cracked my femur, my bike was bent 90 degrees, that put an end to wanting to do BMX.

[bottomup]

The shot put and discus events are the OG of physics in the Olympics.