DanceSport is the new term for competitive ballroom dancing.
As of September 4, 1997, The International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted full recognition to the International Dancesport Federation (IDSF) as the governing body of a sport (Dancesport). At the international level, the next major step in the process of gaining entry to the Olympic Program is to convince the IOC to accept Dancesport as a Program Sport. For example, to gain entry to the Olympic Program for 2008 based on the normal schedule for these actions, the IOC must accept Dancesport as a Program Sport by September 2001. Actions to obtain IOC acceptance of Dancesport as a Program Sport are underway. Here in the United States our application to be recognized as the governing body of Dancesport is awaiting action by the United States Olympic Committee.
|
 |
On April 10, 1999, the USOC (US Olympic Committee) approved USABDA's application for membership. The resolution passed by the USOC Board of Directors was as follows:
"BE IT RESOLVED, THAT the United States amateur Ballroom Dancers Association is admitted as an Affiliated Sports Organization member for the sport of DanceSport in the United States of America."
Interested in competitive dancing? See USA DanceSport
Current Status of DanceSport with respect to the Olympics
(18 March 2001): DanceSport has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as being a sport and the International DaneSport Federation (IDSF) has been designated as the World Governing Body of that sport. The next step in DanceSport's journey into the Olympics will be for the IOC to designate DanceSport as a medal sport. Hopefully this will be done soon so that DanceSport can be scheduled in the 2008 Olympic Games.
The IDSF has filed an application and made DanceSport presentations to the IOC asking that DanceSport be a medal sport in the 2008 summer games. We hope that the IOC will act on that request soon. In the meantime DanceSport participates in the World Games, which are held for Olympic recognized sports that are not yet in the medals program. DanceSport will be a significant part of the 2001 World Games in Japan.
Here in the United States the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the IDSF has officially recognized the United States amateur Ballroom Dancers Association (USABDA) as the National Governing Body for DanceSport. USABDA will be sending two DanceSport couples to Japan to represent the United States in the 2001 World Games.
USABDA is moving ahead strongly in preparations for DanceSport to participate as a medals sport in future Olympic Games. However, regardless of what may happen in the future regarding the Olympics, our principal focus, priorities and allocation of resources will be on programs to create additional opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate in DanceSport and social ballroom dancing. These high priority programs include establishing USABDA Chapters at 240 new locations and initiating DanceSport and social ballroom dance programs in an additional 1,000 colleges.
