Code of Conduct and Standards of Ethics

WDSF Athletes’ Code of Conduct and Standards of Ethics

1. Preamble

A good reputation is the foundation of every sport and should be preserved by its federations. In order to continue to enhance the good reputation of DanceSport and its athletes as well as the World DanceSport Federation, the WDSF Presidium has adopted this WDSF Athletes’ Code of Conduct and Standards of Ethics, and it shall be binding on all DanceSport athletes in the WDSF DanceSport system around the World.

2. General Conduct of Athletes

DanceSport competition is a pleasure and a privilege, and is based on the Olympic principle of joy through effort. It can be practised by people of all ages and backgrounds.

Athletes occupy a position of trust and are significant role models to their peers and to the world generally. A high standard of good conduct before, during and after any DanceSport competition is required of any athlete who has an WDSF or an WDSF PD competition licence.

An athlete’s conduct both on and off the dance floor must be consistent with the principles of good sportsmanship. An athlete participating in DanceSport:

will always give his or her best performance regardless of any other considerations
will always be gracious and conduct himself/herself in a sportsmanlike manner, whether in victory or defeat, and in a way that inspires fellow competitors and future competitors to attain the highest level of sportsmanship
will always compete without the use of prohibited substances and will actively fight against doping, respect WADA and act in the spirit of fair play
will always respect the property of others, whether it is private property or public property
will always respect his or her dance partner, other competitors, spectators, organizers, and officials
will not engage in discriminatory conduct
will not engage in violent or abusive conduct whether verbal or physical or in sexual harassment or abuse of any kind
will comply with the rules, regulations, policies and decisions of WDSF, the WDSF Presidium and WDSFs Commissions
will at all times act as an exemplary ambassador for DanceSport, WDSF, and his or her own country

An athlete must not behave in a questionable or unseemly manner in public or at any DanceSport competition or DanceSport-related function or occasion where members of the public (including athletes, spectators and the media) are present in any capacity. All members of the DanceSport Community, whether coaches, organizers, fellow athletes or others, have an obligation to encourage high standards of good conduct, and discourage unacceptable conduct, by athletes.

3. Rules of Conduct

Athletes who enter any World Ranking tournament, Cup, Championship or Grand Slam competition granted by WDSF, are governed directly by the WDSF Statutes and all other Rules and policies adopted by WDSF. WDSF can take all appropriate action to ensure that any athletes’ conduct is in the best interests of DanceSport.

No athlete may participate in a DanceSport competition or event which is not listed on the official WDSF Competition Calendar (any such non-listed event being a “Non-WDSF Event”) unless s/he has obtained advance written consent for such participation from the WDSF.

The WDSF may consider granting such consent only if it is satisfied that (i) the organisation ultimately responsible for the regulation of such Non-WDSF Event not only has in place Anti-doping rules which comply with the World Anti-Doping Code but which also implement an effective Anti-doping programme based on such rules and (ii) the participation of the relevant athlete(s) in such Non- WDSF Event will not disrupt the organisation or staging of an event listed on the official WDSF Competition Calendar.

The grant or refusal of such consent shall be within the absolute discretion of the WDSF and grounds need not be given in the event of refusal; for the avoidance of doubt, the WDSF may decide to refuse consent for reasons unrelated to Anti-doping and/or the disruption of an event listed on the official WDSF Competition Calendar. In the event that the WDSF does not respond to a given request, it shall be deemed that such request for consent has been refused.

The WDSF may maintain, and publish on its website, a register of Non-WDSF Events which it deems not to satisfy the criteria set out at (i) and (ii) above (any such event being a “Specified Event”).

Athletes should not requesting consent to participate in Specified Events as such consent will not be granted under any circumstances. Requests for consent to participate in a Non-WDSF Event (which is not a Specified Event) shall be sent by e-mail no later than two months prior to the commencement of such event to the WDSF Sports Director at the current address shown for him or her on the WDSF Web Site.

Athletes must sign an acknowledgement of WDSFs jurisdiction over them if they are asked to do so. An athlete must not make any false statement in relation to his or her competition licence.

An athlete must not make any false statement in relation to his or her application to compete in any competition.

An athlete must never threaten any person immediately before, immediately after, or during any competition in which s/he is competing, including by using body language, facial expressions, orally or in writing, in order to improperly affect the outcome of a competition.

An athlete must never seek by any means to improperly influence, or to intimidate, any adjudicator, athlete or other person involved in any way in a competition.

An athlete must not publicly question an adjudicators judgement, honesty or good faith, except in writing addressed in good faith to authorities of competent jurisdiction.

An athlete must dance at competitions in which s/he is registered to compete, or else give reasonable prior notice in writing that s/he will not compete.

An athlete must arrive on time at the competition venue in reasonable physical and mental condition. Subject only to exceptions permitted by law, or innocent accident or mistake, an athlete must not cause damage to property, or take property without lawful excuse, or injure any person, before, during or after a competition.

4. Complaints

Complaints are received, reviewed and decided by either the WDSF Presidium, a responsible WDSF Presidium Member or by any other official responsible to deal with the matter (e.g. the Chairperson of a competition)

Decisions which are made about complaints may be appealed to the WDSF Disciplinary Council, according to the WDSF Disciplinary Council Code.

Any urgent complaints by athletes about adjudicators or any other aspect of a competition must be addressed only to the Chair during the competition.

Complaints are decided by WDSF and its Members based on the facts, by applying the relevant governing competition Rules, and not on subjective grounds.

Unless it is urgent, a complaint:

must be in writing
must be completed with a name, address (postal and email), and contact numbers, and must be dated and signed
must be more than an accusation
must not be made on condition of anonymity, or on any other condition
must be clear and specific, including dates, places, etc., and giving reasons
may be supported by documents, photographs, names, and contact information of witnesses
must be made within twenty (20) days of the occurrence of the act or omission which is the subject of the complaint, or within twenty (20) days of the time at which the complainant becameaware of the same act or omission, provided always that no complaint may be submitted more than 90 days after the act or omission which is the basis for the complaint.

It is unfair, unsportsmanlike, and unacceptable to make an oral complaint (unless it is urgent and addressed to the Chair during a competition), or to circulate anonymous complaints.

5. Sanctions

Any athlete, whose conduct is determined by the Presidium to be contrary to this Code, is subject to penalties, including but not limited to one or more of the following penalties: an order for compensation (if property is damaged or destroyed and the costs should be reimbursed); disqualification from a competition; a temporary suspension from the right to compete; and in case of recurrent or very serious misconduct a permanent suspension from the right to compete.

The minimum penalty considered by the Presidium will usually be a 3-month suspension from the right to compete.

In general the first sanction of any conduct contrary to this Code will be a letter of reprimand. In more serious cases the Presidium may apply a more severe level of sanction, even for a first offence or act of misconduct. For example, participation by an athlete in a Non-WDSF Event without obtaining the requisite consent shall constitute a serious case.

Shawn Tay

WDSF General Secretary