The Swiss tournament scene is opening up to same-sex couples. The club delegates approved a motion of the Turniertanzsportclub Zürich TTZ without any dissenting votes. The TTZ justified its motion by saying that the stipulation that a dance couple consists of a man and a woman is no longer up-to-date and is detrimental to Swiss dance sport.
Up to now, same-sex couples were only allowed at STSV tournaments in the pupils, juniors and youth categories. This regulation will now be extended to the main category and senior classes. For 2023, the STSV Board is to issue an exemption so that this opening can come into force immediately. This measure makes it possible to tackle the implementation of the regulations after the first experiences. The STSV board can decide on the extension of the exemption or a possible implementation in the regulations.
The background to this opening is the fact that there are far more female than male dancers, especially among younger people. Talented girls hardly see a perspective to be successful in dance sport in the long run. With this opening, it is to be hoped that the fields of participants in dance sport tournaments will soon become larger again.
Text: Martin Zinser, Image: Claude Pribitzer
