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 DanceSport developed out of the narrow confines of competition ballroom dancing. Today it includes all dance styles which have adopted a sports-based culture and which establish international competition structures under the genus name.
The International Council of Amateur Dancers, predecessor to the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF), created the term in the 1980s. While ‘Sport’ in the composite aspired to be consistent with the generally accepted definitions (see below), ‘Dance’ was – at the time – to refer exclusively to the Latin and Standard dances.
Gradually IDSF adopted a more holistic view on what constitutes DanceSport. Rock ‘n’ Roll was added when its governing body, the World Rock ‘n’ Roll Confederation, became an IDSF Associate Member in 1994. The International Dance Organisation, a body sanctioning international competitions around 50 different dance styles, joined IDSF as an Associate Member in 2004.
“Sport means all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results at all levels.”
European Sports Charter
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