| DanceSport |
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DanceSport
is the new term for competitive ballroom dancing.
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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.
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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:
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"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."
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For
more information about USABDA, visit their website.
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Current Status of
DanceSport with respect to the Olympics
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(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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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For the latest Olympic
Updates.
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