It is hard to believe how much supposed dance administrators supposedly working for a better world actually work against dancers. Those desperate for power are willing to stoop to unbelievable low levels.
At the present time WDC dancers are being approached and pressurised to support other organisations. They are promised that if they do so they will be given financial backing. They are also promised extra income through work as coaches, adjudicators and demonstrators.
If they do not bow to this pressure then they are finding they are being blocked from teaching in their own country, from adjudicating and even booked shows are being cancelled and no new work offers.
In recent years dancesport has had many dark moments but this plummets to the lowest of the low. It is shaming to dancesport.
There must be a better way, there has to be a better way. Once there are no ethics, no morality then there is nothing on which to build.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
"Democracy" and "Decision Making".
I was interested to read on the IDSF web site that following a "suggestion" by the IOC they had "appointed" an athlete from amongst their top 12 Latin Couples so that active sports persons were more in the "decision taking process".
Is this not contradictory ?
First the IOC have placed in writing that it would be totally wrong for them to interfere in dance in anyway and also that the IDSF is totally independent and autonomous.
Second that the sportspersons are not involved in the "decision taking" as to whom their representative should be but instead one was "appointed"
Third this person stated in an interview that they would do everything they could to protect the "interests of the couples". Will they or will they protect the interests of the Presidium without any consideration for the competitors wishes?
Over and over the "sportspersons" have stated they do not want to be involved in political issues. They do not want to be told where they can compete but want the freedom to make their own choices.
At least there is a frank admission by the representative that they wish to "collaborate" with the Presidium!
Is this not contradictory ?
First the IOC have placed in writing that it would be totally wrong for them to interfere in dance in anyway and also that the IDSF is totally independent and autonomous.
Second that the sportspersons are not involved in the "decision taking" as to whom their representative should be but instead one was "appointed"
Third this person stated in an interview that they would do everything they could to protect the "interests of the couples". Will they or will they protect the interests of the Presidium without any consideration for the competitors wishes?
Over and over the "sportspersons" have stated they do not want to be involved in political issues. They do not want to be told where they can compete but want the freedom to make their own choices.
At least there is a frank admission by the representative that they wish to "collaborate" with the Presidium!
Strange Geography.
On the IDSF website there is a warning to persons who take part in what IDSF call an
"Unregistered Event" - this means one where they are not receiving an income from the event.
According to this warning the event will take place in "Buenos Aires ,Argentina, France on December 13 2009,". Argentina,France ? Has Argentina become a French province or is there some flaws in geographical knowledge at IDSF?
"Unregistered Event" - this means one where they are not receiving an income from the event.
According to this warning the event will take place in "Buenos Aires ,Argentina, France on December 13 2009,". Argentina,France ? Has Argentina become a French province or is there some flaws in geographical knowledge at IDSF?
For Professionals "WDC is the Best"
In an interview with dancebeatworld the 2008 IDSF World Latin Champion Stefano di Fillipo talking about the unhappy political situation in the danceworld and the enormous pressures applied to dance competitors stated that "For Professionals WDC is the Best".
In a recent "News Release" concerning the IDSF Professional Division IDSF described Stefano as an IDSF athlete. Does this mean that as a Professional he has no desire to be a part of, in his own words, "the best"?
In a recent "News Release" concerning the IDSF Professional Division IDSF described Stefano as an IDSF athlete. Does this mean that as a Professional he has no desire to be a part of, in his own words, "the best"?
IDSF create Professional Division
As many of us know IDSF have announced a plan that their IPDSC created body will disappear and there will be an IDSF Professional Division. All Professionals who were part of IPDSC will be invited to join their IDSF Amateur organisation. How many will take this step - one described by former IPDSC President in an interview with Dancebeatworld as a "Step too far"?
Unlike the World Dance Council who operate an Open Market Policy and allow their members to work or compete where they will the IDSF have a policy of restriction and control. They have already issued a number of warnings to their members Amateur and Professional that action may be taken against them if they compete in or adjudicate certain events.
The questions now are :
will they impose similar restrictions on those Professionals who join the Amateur bodies?
will they insist that their Licenced Adjudicators must be members of IDSF Amateur Bodies?
will they insist that their Licenced Adjudicators cannot adjudicate and WDC event?
If the answer is NO in each case then the question is
why do they treat Professionals different to Amateurs?
The future will be interesting and it could focus the minds of many people.
Unlike the World Dance Council who operate an Open Market Policy and allow their members to work or compete where they will the IDSF have a policy of restriction and control. They have already issued a number of warnings to their members Amateur and Professional that action may be taken against them if they compete in or adjudicate certain events.
The questions now are :
will they impose similar restrictions on those Professionals who join the Amateur bodies?
will they insist that their Licenced Adjudicators must be members of IDSF Amateur Bodies?
will they insist that their Licenced Adjudicators cannot adjudicate and WDC event?
If the answer is NO in each case then the question is
why do they treat Professionals different to Amateurs?
The future will be interesting and it could focus the minds of many people.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Dance/DanceSport today.
The situation which exists in the competitive DanceSport world today is a very sad one.
Ours is a minority sport and we should all be working together so that we can present a really strong and unified face to the world.
From the moment Dancesport was recognised by the IOC things began to go backward and the situation has become worse as each year passes.
We have one organisation proclaiming that this IOC recognition has given them worldwide control of dancesport. This is simply not true. IOC recognition only has validity so far as the Olympic movement is concerned. I have had correspondence with the IOC and they confirm that they are powerless to interfere in Dancesport and it would be wrong if they attempted to do so. Why can we not be told the truth?
There are a number of important figures in the IOC who cannot accept DanceSport as a sport in the true sense of the word. The element of artistic content is just far too important. Many believe that it is in reality "Light Entertainment". Given how important the Strictly Come Dancing (Dancing with the Stars etc) and Eurovision Dance Contest has become to the IDSF it seems they agree although they strongly deny. Writing about the Eurovision Dance Contest I have to say how sorry I am that the event with IDSF involvement has been cancelled this year as there were not sufficient countries in Europe interested in the project. This really does make the often heard claim "DanceSport will be hugely in demand for TV during Olympic Games" seem way off target. Why can those at the top not tell us that DanceSport has as much chance of medal sport status as a snowball in your microwave
Ours is a minority sport and we should all be working together so that we can present a really strong and unified face to the world.
From the moment Dancesport was recognised by the IOC things began to go backward and the situation has become worse as each year passes.
We have one organisation proclaiming that this IOC recognition has given them worldwide control of dancesport. This is simply not true. IOC recognition only has validity so far as the Olympic movement is concerned. I have had correspondence with the IOC and they confirm that they are powerless to interfere in Dancesport and it would be wrong if they attempted to do so. Why can we not be told the truth?
There are a number of important figures in the IOC who cannot accept DanceSport as a sport in the true sense of the word. The element of artistic content is just far too important. Many believe that it is in reality "Light Entertainment". Given how important the Strictly Come Dancing (Dancing with the Stars etc) and Eurovision Dance Contest has become to the IDSF it seems they agree although they strongly deny. Writing about the Eurovision Dance Contest I have to say how sorry I am that the event with IDSF involvement has been cancelled this year as there were not sufficient countries in Europe interested in the project. This really does make the often heard claim "DanceSport will be hugely in demand for TV during Olympic Games" seem way off target. Why can those at the top not tell us that DanceSport has as much chance of medal sport status as a snowball in your microwave
Welcome to my blog
Dance or Dancesport occupies a huge part of my life.
I have started this blog which is going to be a wide ranging blog. I hope to have people responding to my thoughts and telling me what matters to them. Hopefully we will all learn and gain from the experience. It is my intention that we will bring news of future competitions and also news of training camps etc which are being planned in many countries. Hopefully we will have photographs, interviews and lots more.
Anything that matters to dance and dancers will be a part of DanceMatters.
I have started this blog which is going to be a wide ranging blog. I hope to have people responding to my thoughts and telling me what matters to them. Hopefully we will all learn and gain from the experience. It is my intention that we will bring news of future competitions and also news of training camps etc which are being planned in many countries. Hopefully we will have photographs, interviews and lots more.
Anything that matters to dance and dancers will be a part of DanceMatters.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)