Belgische DansSport Federatie

Ballroom Dancing History

Ballroom dancing has an unique history both as sports as as for pleasure. It finds its origin in England at the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th century. Competitions became popular about 1920. In 1924 the "Ballroom Branch of Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing" was founded. It was her purpose to standardize the music, the steps and the technique. Troughout the years, ballroom dancing became more and more popular in Europe, Asia and America.

In May 1997 IDSF (International Dancesport Federation) and IMG (International Management Group of Mark Mc Cormack) made an agreement. IMC, the agency that made many sports worldfamous, will turn ballroom dancing into a Dancesport.

On the 8th of September 1997 the IOC (International Olympic Committee) annonces that IDSF is accepted as "Recognised Federation" and "Effective Member" of the IOC. To become "Olympic" in 2008, the IDSF must prove that she accomplishes all requirements put to an Olympic Sport.
In September 2001 the decision will be made.

Disciplines and Dances
DanceSport Championships are held in following disciplines :

MODERN : Slow waltz, Tango, Viennese waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep.

LATIN AMERICAN : Samba, Cha Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive.

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TEN DANCES : de two mentioned above combined in one competition.
The national champions of all countries participate in the international and the world championships.
There are amazing performances achieved. Sports physiologists of the University of Freiburg have stated that - measured for the same lenght of time - the physical effort and the respiration during one dance are comparable with these of racing cyclists, swimmers and 800m-runners.

FORMATION DANCING : is a teamsport. Different teams challenge each other in competition. A team consists of 6 or 8 couples, trying to dance synchronously during 4,5 minutes on a self chosen piece of music. Each team dances separately his choreography.
There are many other dancing-disciplines which we'll present later.