The 2024 Paris Olympics are right around the corner. This year, there are over 200 countries participating in more than 30 sports across 400 scheduled events. Featured competitions include track and field, as well as gymnastics, tennis, and more, from July 26 to Aug. 11. This year, the Olympics will debut a new category in breaking – or breakdancing. It will also take on other sports that debuted at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, like surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing.
However, one of the most highly anticipated competitions in the gymnastics category continues to be artistic gymnastics, which will kick off on July 27 with the Men’s Qualification – Subdivisions 1 to 3. Women are up the following day (July 28), starting with the first subdivision at 12:30 a.m. PST. The Women’s Team Final for artistic gymnastics will take place on July 30 at 9:15 a.m. PST.
The women’s category is especially exciting this year. Artistic gymnastics features Latine talent like Brazilian artistic gymnast Rebeca Andrade, Dominicana gymnast Hezly Rivera, Mexican artistic gymnast Alexa Moreno, and Simone Biles, who has Belizean roots. These empowering Latinas have represented their countries in their unique ways. For example, Andrade’s popular floor routine to MC João’s “Baile de Favela” in 2020.
Songs are chosen depending on the gymnasts’ taste. In contrast to Andrade’s Brazilian funk number, one of Moreno’s popular routines was the soundtrack from the anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. However, many gymnasts choose a fast-paced song, which aligns with many of our favorite Latine hits. What other songs could be great to do routines to? From Bad Bunny’s “Monaco” to Lumidee’s “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh),” here are six tracks we think would slay on the gymnastics floor.
Bad Bunny – “MONACO”
Hear us out: “MONACO” has a dramatic introduction ready for artistic gymnastic floor routines. We envision the gymnast getting in their headspace before the trap beat drops. With a particular synth and a strong bass, the song makes for a routine to show off their strategic moves. Although the floor music isn’t allowed to have lyrics, Benito’s verses would give that extra motivation for the gymnast to score big. Another honorable mention from Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana is “NADIE SABE,” which would also make for a good classical-inspired routine, especially with the alluding sounds it embodies.
Olga Tañon – “Es Mentiroso”
Imagine the Olympics playing merengue during their artistic gymnastics subdivisions… To be honest, there should be more merengue on the gymnastics floor. Merengue’s rhythms can make for a good routine song – and what better than Tañon’s classic? With the song’s build-ups and highlighted brass instruments, the ‘90s track can be the perfect touch to a planned-out routine. We can envision the gymnast with a glittery outfit getting down to Tañon’s merengue cues while they land perfect scores. Moreover, this song’s beat keeps the hype up and motivates you to keep moving forward, which are all great qualities for gymnasts in these tedious and nerve-wracking judged competitions.
Los Hermanos Rosario – “La Dueña del Swing”
Gymnasts are typically good at swinging, especially with tricks that have to do with a bar. With that in mind, another good rhythmic classic that is widely recognized and should be featured is Los Hermanos Rosario’s “La Dueña del Swing.” It also serves as another good example of a captivating introduction that gets you in that locked-in winner headspace. Based on the name alone, we can envision gymnasts landing saltos or performing a giant to relate to the song’s title of swinging in the air. Point blank: there are a lot of swinging techniques that could be performed, so why not use a song appropriately named for it?
Young Miko, Marshmello – “Tempo”
Many gymnasts choose electronic-driven songs for their routines. A song that plays with their BPM is Young Miko and Marshmello’s “Tempo,” released in Aug. 2023. With the song’s hype, different tempos, and heavy bass, we can imagine gymnasts slaying their floor routines to it. Once the music’s beat increases, we envision the gymnasts going for those big moves that they ultimately get expertly judged for. The track’s distinctive beat also makes it a good song to choose from, which sets it apart from other candidates’ choices. Although there are no lyrics allowed, Young Miko’s verse saying, “Ma tu estas dura desde nacimiento / Tu eres el show este es tu momento,” would’ve served as an inspiration to land perfect scores too.
Dayvi, Víctor Cárdenas – “Baila Conmigo (feat. Kelly Ruiz)”
Since its release in 2018, Dayvi’s “Baila Conmigo” has been a huge club hit, and at the time, it seemed to be playing on every dance floor. To date, there are countless dance choreographies to it – now imagine an Olympics artistic gymnastic one? With a distinctive brass instrument melody, “Baila Conmigo” also makes for a great floor routine song. The track’s trumpet solos and build-ups allow gymnasts to prepare and land their moves before the bass kicks in. Whether or not it ever becomes the next gymnastics banger, the beat is unmatched and is still one of the most recognizable today.
Lumidee – “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)”
Something that makes a track a good choice for gymnasts is its uniqueness. Lumidee’s “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)” is another undoubtful hit that’s a good contender for gymnastic routines. The song’s distinctive melody could give the routine a sassy attitude and captivate the gymnast’s audiences. Since 2003, this song became a nationwide hit and is still being celebrated as one of Y2K’s biggest hits. With that in mind, we can imagine a gymnast getting ready to hit the bar – or any move – backed by the Nuyorican singer’s hit that changed the radio. We hope to hear this upbeat track on a gymnast’s floor one day.