Brigitte and Erich Stäldi, Vice-President and Honorary President of the STSV, represented our association in mid-June at the annual delegates’ meeting and the Open Forum of the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) in Rome.
During the Delegates’ Assembly, the following amendments to the WDSF Competition Rules – which also affect Switzerland – were announced, amongst other things:
- In title competitions, teams of any kind must consist of at least 50% athletes on the floor who hold a passport for the country they are representing (e.g. in formations)
- The regulations concerning the dress code and race numbers have been moved from the Competition Rules to what are known as Presidium Policies, so that changes can be made more flexibly outside the AGM
- New tempos: Rumba 24–26 bpm, Paso Doble 58–60 bpm
- Limiting the sound level at tournaments to a maximum of 90 dB
- Introduction of Seniors IV Latin for WDSF Open tournaments (not title competitions)
The WDSF Legal Commission has gratefully accepted the offer of support from lawyer Erich Stäldi regarding matters relating to Swiss law, for which substantial consultancy fees have been paid to Swiss law firms in recent years.
At the AGM, an agreement was also signed with the AI pioneer «Sidewalk», designating STEPIN as the WDSF’s official esports platform.
At the WDSF Open Forum, which took place the day before, information was provided on the significant developments in the disciplines of Hip-Hop, Disco/Stagedance and Caribbean Dance. New guidelines for competition operations will be drawn up in the coming months for both the «American Smooth» disciplines and the solo dances.
Activities relating to the Olympic movement were also discussed. In particular, the developments surrounding breaking, from Paris via Dakar to the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane. The aim remains to secure and further strengthen the position of dance sport within the Olympic family in the long term.
There were also interesting presentations on the topic of «SafeSport», as well as on the importance of physical and mental health amongst all officials and the performance of judges.
Report: Brigitte Stäldi, STSV Sports Organisation
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