Dancesport
An amateur dancesport competition at MIT | |
| Highest governing body | WDSF and WDC |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | |
| Mixed-sex | Yes |
| Venue | Ballroom |
| Presence | |
| Olympic | No, but recognized by the IOC |
| World Games | 1997 – present |
Dancesport (also stylized as DanceSport) is competitive dancing, as contrasted with social or exhibition dancing. The term dancesport encompasses many dance disciplines (e.g., Acrobatic Rock'n'Roll, Boogie Woogie, Breaking, Hip Hop, and Ballroom). Most dancesport disciplines are competed by couples, but there are solo styles (e.g., Breaking) and group styles (e.g., Formation dance). In the case of Para dancesport, at least one of the dancers is in a wheelchair.
Dancesport events are sanctioned and regulated by dancesport organizations at the national and international level, such as (for Ballroom dance) the World DanceSport Federation, the World Dance Council, and the World Dance Organization.
The name was invented to help competitive ballroom dancing gain Olympic recognition. The physical demand of dancesport has been the subject of scientific research.