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What is DanceSport?

DanceSport is the name for competitive ballroom dancing.

Ballroom dancing originated in England during the late 18th and early 19th century, primarily as a social activity for the upper classes. As time went on, public dance "assemblies" also became a popular recreation among working class people. Ballroom competitions began in the early 1920s and have continued to mature in both technique and popularity ever since. Today, there are two divisions of international competitive dancing: the Standard dances (Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, and Tango), and the Latin dances (ChaCha, Jive, Rumba, Samba, and Paso Doble,) Just as in ice dancing, each dance has a specific character and technique on which competing athletes are judged.

The development of ballroom dancing as a sport began to take shape in the early 1990's. "DanceSport", as it has become known, is based upon models approved by the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF) for use worldwide. This is a vision of a world sport based upon common policies developed by contributions from organizations worldwide. The IDSF currently has 77 member countries.

DanceSport and the Olympics

In 1995, the IDSF received Provisional Recognition from the International Olympic committee (IOC). Then, on September 8, 1997, the IOC announced that it had granted recognition to the International Dance Sport Federation as a full member of the IOC. Full membership in the IOC means acceptance of DanceSport as a legitimate sport, and is the first step toward becoming an an Olympic medal sport. Here is the trajectory, as set out by the IOC:

by 2001, DanceSport must be accepted as a Medal Program Sport
by 2003, DanceSport must win admission to the Medal Program
by 2005, DanceSport must be accepted for inclusion by the 2008 Summer Games organizing committee of the "host country".

Then in 2008, DanceSport Athletes should be able to compete in the Summer Games.

There is a very slight chance that DanceSport may be "provisionally" included in the 2004 Summer Games. It is possible, but there is a lot of competition for the two berths that the IOC says they may create for 2004.

In the first decade of the 21st Centruy, a berth as an Olympic Medal Sport is the most sought after distinction in the sports world. And DanceSport and the IDSF are making good progress.

Our future Olympic team may be training now...