Issue 2015/02: Not In Tokyo 2020

::: ISSUE 2015/02 ::: 29 JUNE 2015 :::

Not In Tokyo 2020

Additional Events With the announcement made by the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee (TOCOG) regarding the eight sports* continuing under evaluation for their possible inclusion in the XXXII Games of the Olympiad, an ambition of the World DanceSport Federations (WDSF) was curtailed. When it submitted its application to the Tokyo 2020 Additional Event Programme Panel on 8 June, WDSF was convinced that DanceSport would serve well as a driving force to promote the Olympic movement and its values, and that the proposed events of Latin and Standard would be capable of adding value to the Games in every respect.

WDSF is disappointed that its journey towards the elusive goal of establishing DanceSport as a full medal sport in the Olympics ends at this stage for 2020. At the same time, WDSF is grateful to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for amending the process for periodic review of the Olympic Programme as per the recommendations of its Agenda 2020. And it thanks TOCOG for the opportunity to present DanceSport alongside the 25 other sports with a view to its inclusion in 2020.

WDSF President Carlos Freitag comments: “That the Agenda 2020 Recommendation 10 was implemented only a few months after being adopted was a welcome surprise. Together with the Japan DanceSport Federation we had to pull out all the stops in order to submit our official application by the deadline stipulated.

“We are convinced that we presented a strong case to the members of the additional events panel and that we made their choice for the shortlist a difficult one. Even if we came up short this time around, we will continue our efforts to develop our sport as an important asset to the Olympic movement. Our immediate target is to be among the best attended sports at The World Games 2017 Wroclaw.”

In The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung and 2013 Cali, DanceSport generated more revenues through ticket sales than any of the other 30+ sports that were contested. With Recommendation 6 of the Agenda 2020 singling out The World Games as an opportunity for the evaluation of new sports by the IOC, putting in another strong appearance in 2017 Wroclaw will be crucial.

“We have demonstrated that criteria applying to dance as sport can be updated and brought in line with what is expected by the stakeholders in the Olympics,” said President Freitag. “Over the past few years we have increased worldwide participation, we have developed a revolutionary new judging system and we have improved our governance of the sport. We will continue to do our utmost to be a strong contender when another process of selection gets underway for the Olympic Games in 2024," Freitag declared.

* WDSF congratulates baseball/softball, bowling, climbing, karate, squash, roller sports, surfing as well as wushu for staying in the race and it is convinced that the best sport for Tokyo 2020 will ultimately make it to the finish line.