World DanceSport Magazine

Let the Games Begin!

This is the first Special Issue of World DanceSport Magazine. Its primary focus is on DanceSport’s fourth appearance on the programme of The World Games. In July, some of our best athletes from all continents travel to Kaohsiung, TPE, to unite with 4,000 peers from 30+ other sports in the quest for excellence.

24 couples each in Latin and Standard together with 20 cou-

international DanceSport federation

ber bodies gather in Macau, PRC, for the Annual General Meeting. It is definitely not business as usual when we discuss how to define DanceSport anew – in a much broader sense of the term – and how to establish the democratic structures for the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) , the unified body for all disciplines. The fact that IDSF has been able to develop from its foundation more than 50 years ago – to steadily progress despite the increasing demands put on it – should give us the confidence that we are up to the challenge this time too, and that we will take the right decisions on 14 June. Our ‘Vision 2012’ was first presented as such to the 2007 AGM. Two years of hard work were required to take it to the next level and a preliminary motion to the delegates in Macau. But parts of our vision started to turn reality already. We forged alliances with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the United Country Western Dance Council last year to pursue the emergence of WDSF together with them too. An IPC-sanctioned Wheelchair DanceSport Open was held very recently together with an IDSF World Championship. The overwhelming acceptance of the formula by all athletes leads me to suggest that other organisers should emulate it in the future. Promoting Wheelchair in our 86 member countries and incorporating its events into IDSF Championships are decisive steps towards the realisation of ‘Vision 2012’. By becoming a united and strong DanceSport family we will attain even our most ambitious goals. I encourage you to read ‘Vision Applied’. As the World Wheelchair Champions in Standard Combi II give us their views on a joint future, you will discover that we share the same dream! In this issue, the International Dance Organisation (IDO) – an Associate Member of IDSF since 2004 – presents its unique approach to advancing DanceSport. The growing list of disciplines under IDO rules covers the range and brings it to enthusiastic dancers of all ages. It is ‘DanceSport of the Varied Kind’ which makes for the universal appeal across the generations. The rhythms of time, however diverse they may be, keep all of us in step – and in tune with each other. Carlos Freitag, IDSF President

ples in Acrobatic Rock ‘n’ Roll represent the new DanceSport we envision to take shape over the years to come. Competing side-by-side, 136 athletes transmit the essence of our ‘Vision 2012’ to the world at large. Different forms of dance come together under the brand – it becomes the encompassing genre for different disciplines contested in a sporting spirit. It was for the participation in these multi-sport games that the notion arose to close ranks between the disciplines as well as between the organisations governing them. In 2001 Akita, JPN , Rock ‘n’ Roll was demonstrated prior to the competitions in Latin and Standard. In 2005 Duisburg, GER , all three were official medal events. And DanceSport started to change in the public perception. The World Rock ‘n’ Roll Confederation, our longest standing Associate Member, was the strong ally then and will be on our side again in 2009 Kaohsiung. Ten pages of this issue are dedicated to The World Games. The look at our involvement in previous editions confirms that we have contributed a fair share to making them the premier showcase for the sports currently not featured in the Olympics. With the 121st Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voting this October on four of the World Games sports – karate, roller sports, rugby and squash – to possibly be included for 2016, their medal events in Kaohsiung are scrutinised again by IOC experts. And while athletes give their best on the mat, track, pitch or court, their world governing bodies are expected to ensure much more than the proper conduct of the competitions. Media relations and communications are among the many tasks expected to be handled expertly by a prospective Olympic Federation. DanceSport has failed to make it onto the shortlist for 2016. But on 24 and 25 July we have the opportunity to launch our campaign for 2020. The athletes on the floor of the Kaohsiung Arena are by far the strongest argument for it to be considered in the next review of the Olympic Programme, which will start for all the Recognised International Federations with an in-depth evaluation of their sport by the IOC in 2011. More about the International DanceSport Federation’s (IDSF) future will also get decided in Asia. Even before The World Games take place in Kaohsiung, the delegates of our mem2 Let the Games begin!