Mourad Merzouki brings hip-hop dance to the Olympic stage with 'Dance of the Games'

CRETEIL, France (AP) — In a sweltering enclosed stage, several dancers perform synchronized routines before scattering, as others practice twisting handstands and tumbles. Amid this, Mourad Merzouki directs them, ensuring their hip-hop moves are flawless.

It's the final day of rehearsals for the renowned French-Algerian choreographer and his energetic group of dancers who are preparing themselves for a huge Olympic Games festivity. Merzouki and his dance troupe will take center stage near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, showcasing the official dance of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games on Monday.

The four-day “Dance of the Games” marks a triumphant moment for Merzouki, 50, whose hip-hop style, once doubted 30 years ago, has now proven its lasting appeal.

“It's great to see that hip-hop dance will be one of the major events watched by the whole world,” said Merzouki shortly after rehearsals at a choreographic center in Créteil, a suburb of Paris. His showcase will be held at the Trocadéro Champions Park, a free access arena where his choreographed performance will feature 30 dancers and urban artists.

Merzouki's dance routine is one of three styles featured on the stage at Champions Park, where Olympic medalists arrive. His choreography blends the elements of martial arts, visual arts, circus, boxing and live arts, tailored to engage audiences of all ages and abilities.

Despite the weight of expectations, Merzouki remains confident in both himself and his dancers because of the positive message he's trying to convey.

“I have a lot of pressure, because I want everything to go right,” he said. “We want the message of generosity of this dance to raise awareness to as many people as possible. This moment should allow us all to connect.”

From humble beginnings to a global platform, Merzouki’s innovative style took some time to gain widespread appeal. He started his dance company in 1996, naming it after his inaugural piece, Käfig, which means “cage” in Arabic and German. Merzouki was told his dance style wouldn’t resonate or maintain the attention of large audiences in Europe.

However, he received a different response while dancing in the United States, in cities such as Miami, Los Angeles and New York, the birthplace of hip-hop. In America, Merzouki’s his unique style was widely embraced, and he could have thrived there. But he chose to return to France to challenge doubters and break down barriers.

Merzouki eventually succeeded in doing just that. His company has had more than 4,000 performances in France and more than 60 other countries in a three-decade span.

“I think that this recognition is due to these 30 years that we have all spent fighting, holding on, believing in our dreams,” he said. “It’s so that precisely this dance can have a place like any other dance in the choreographic landscape.”

Throughout the years, Merzouki has kept his routines fresh with an open mind while selecting dancers — even asking those interested to submit dance videos via YouTube. He’s worked with reliable dancers and inserted new ones too with backgrounds in hip-hop, contemporary, classical and circus.

“It's a a sign that this dance can be addressed to all audiences,” he continued. “With this competition, I think we can say that it's an honor and that it's encouraging for the future of this dance.”

French dancer Joël Luzolo called Merzouki an influential figure who brought his dance style from the streets to the theater. He said many dancers wouldn't have sustainable careers without Merzouki's impact.

“Back then, it was way hard than now,” said Luzolo, 30, who has danced for Merzouki for five years. “Every year, he tries to raise the level even higher to make people understand what hip-hop is and what it can be. He's been a really great influence. It can help dancers with having a career and life.”

Merzouki is grateful for the reemergence of the breakdancing culture, which is debuting as competitive event during the Paris Games — though some in Paris' local breaking scene were skeptical of the subculture being coopted by officials, commercialized and put through the rigid judging structure.

“Some were for it, some were against it. But I think it’s very good news that breaking was propelled to the forefront into such an important event,” he said. “The DNA of breaking and hip-hop dance is competition. It was battles. It’s a continuation of this great story of hip-hop. I hope the visibility will allow this dance to be better recognized and reach a larger, wider audience.”

After the Olympics showcase, Merzouki will focus on his new show called “Beauséjour” in Lyon, France. He has upcoming projects with different orchestras, collaborating with several artists and just creating as much as possible.

With grand plans up his sleeve, Merzouki is ready to present his artistic dance to the Olympic world.

“I hope that the public, who thinks hip-hop dance is not for them, can discover a new discipline they necessarily didn’t know,” he said. “This is a great moment of visibility. ... The symbolism is strong. It’s an artistic recognition. French youth from working class neighborhoods, dancing in the heart of Paris.”

AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

French-Algerian choreographer Mourad Merzouki guides his dancers as they rehearse for "Dance of the Games" at the concert hall in Creteil, east of Paris, Wednesday July 31, 2024. Merzouki is bringing hip-hop dance to the Paris Olympics. The French-Algerian choreographer is the creator of the “Dance of the Games.” Merzouki's showcase at the Trocadéro Champions Park kicks off Monday Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Dancers rehearse for "Dance of the Games" at the concert hall in Creteil, east of Paris, Wednesday July 31, 2024. Mourad Merzouki is bringing hip-hop dance to the Paris Olympics. The French-Algerian choreographer is the creator of the “Dance of the Games.” Merzouki's showcase at the Trocadéro Champions Park kicks off Monday Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Dancers rehearse for "Dance of the Games" at the concert hall in Creteil, east of Paris, Wednesday July 31, 2024. Mourad Merzouki is bringing hip-hop dance to the Paris Olympics. The French-Algerian choreographer is the creator of the “Dance of the Games.” Merzouki's showcase at the Trocadéro Champions Park kicks off Monday Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Dancers rehearse for "Dance of the Games" at the concert hall in Creteil, east of Paris, Wednesday July 31, 2024. Mourad Merzouki is bringing hip-hop dance to the Paris Olympics. The French-Algerian choreographer is the creator of the “Dance of the Games.” Merzouki's showcase at the Trocadéro Champions Park kicks off Monday Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

French-Algerian choreographer Mourad Merzouki, right, guides his hip-hop dancers through a rehearsal for the "Dance of the Games", at the concert hall in Creteil, east of Paris, Wednesday July 31, 2024. Mourad Merzouki is bringing hip-hop dance to the Paris Olympics. The French-Algerian choreographer is the creator of the “Dance of the Games.” Merzouki's showcase at the Trocadéro Champions Park kicks off Monday Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Dancers rehearse for "Dance of the Games" at the concert hall in Creteil, east of Paris, Wednesday July 31, 2024. Mourad Merzouki is bringing hip-hop dance to the Paris Olympics. The French-Algerian choreographer is the creator of the “Dance of the Games.” Merzouki's showcase at the Trocadéro Champions Park kicks off Monday Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Dancers rehearse for "Dance of the Games" at the concert hall in Creteil, east of Paris, Wednesday July 31, 2024. Mourad Merzouki is bringing hip-hop dance to the Paris Olympics. The French-Algerian choreographer is the creator of the “Dance of the Games.” Merzouki's showcase at the Trocadéro Champions Park kicks off Monday Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

French-Algerian choreographer Mourad Merzouki guides his dancers as they rehearse for "Dance of the Games" at the concert hall in Creteil, east of Paris, Wednesday July 31, 2024. Merzouki is bringing hip-hop dance to the Paris Olympics. The French-Algerian choreographer is the creator of the “Dance of the Games.” Merzouki's showcase at the Trocadéro Champions Park kicks off Monday Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

French-Algerian choreographer Mourad Merzouki guides his dancers as they rehearse for "Dance of the Games" at the concert hall in Creteil, east of Paris, Wednesday July 31, 2024. Merzouki is bringing hip-hop dance to the Paris Olympics. The French-Algerian choreographer is the creator of the “Dance of the Games.” Merzouki's showcase at the Trocadéro Champions Park kicks off Monday Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Jake Sanderson scored 15 seconds into overtime and the Ottawa Senators stretched their win streak to six games with a 5-4 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.

It’s the first time since March 2017 that Ottawa has won six in a row.

Shane Pinto scored twice for the Senators, Claude Giroux added a goal and Josh Norris scored short-handed. Sanderson also contributed a pair of assists.

Leevi Merilainen stopped 21 shots to earn his first NHL victory.

Brock Boeser scored twice for the Canucks, and Quinn Hughes had a goal and two assists. Jake DeBrusk rounded out the scoring for a Vancouver side that lost its third straight outing (0-1-2). Kevin Lankinen made 17 saves.

Canucks: The team has lost four of its last five outings and some of its top stars have gone cold offensively. J.T. Miller has not scored in the six games he’s played since returning from a 10-game absence, Elias Pettersson does not have a point in his last six outings and Conor Garland last recorded a goal on Nov. 29.

Senators: Merilainen stepped in for Linus Ullmark, who has been a superstar for Ottawa in recent weeks. Heading into Saturday, Ullmark had powered the team to five straight victories after backup Anton Forsberg went down with an injury during a pre-game skate on Dec. 14.

Boeser knotted the score at 4 with 4:50 left in the game when he blasted a rebound past Merilainen.

Hughes now has 40 points on the season (eight goals, 32 assists). He is the seventh defenseman in NHL history to hit the mark in 33 or fewer games in multiple seasons.

The Senators visit the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, and the Canucks host the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Ottawa Senators' Jake Sanderson (85) scores on Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) during overtime of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators goaltender Leevi Merilainen (1) stops the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks' Brock Boeser, right, celebrates his goal against the Ottawa Senators with Quinn Hughes (43) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators' Jake Sanderson (85) celebrates his game-winning goal with Brady Tkachuk (7) after overtime of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)