No DanceSport at the 2020 Olympics :(

[Renata Shvarts]

Mr.4 styles those students who do very well in school get scholarships to go to college. Many student also get financial aid. I am sure that scholarships and financial aids are available for medical school as well.

Dancing did blow up at some point but it is slowly going downhill now. So hopefully just like golf it will make it to Olympics at some point.

For every comp that boasts record numbers there are three other comps that are barely surviving. I know numbers for many NDCA comps. Don't believe what people boast about. Reality is not as sunny as it may seem. Many of these comps survive thanks to rich pro-am students who write out big sponsor checks.

As I said in my previous post USA dance does not spend money on anything relating to Olympics. I am not sure where this information is coming from but if there is something i am not aware of I would be only to happy to learn.

And as for starving dancers, i have seen and seen struggling dancers.

 

[Mr 4 styles]

no there are no scholarships to med school its post graduate education you can borrow the money sure as i did ( with interest)

and i did verrryyyyyy well in school ( you can't do better if you get my drift)

if comps are barely surviving the NDCA membership dues should be used to underwrite them!!!

i know usa dance doesn't spend money on the olympics,unless you count the youth only dance camp they tried ( and wanted me to sponsor)

starving dancers in the US????

 

[Renata Shvarts]

And why would you continue to push something as an elected official when many people are sick of hearing about this ridiculous dream instead of making attainable goals to make the usadance experience better. It's a good log term goal maybe, but that's all we hear about coming from usadance. What do you plan for short term goals to push usadance further. Or easy goals (like coming up with a marking system that the Olympic committee would actually buy as objective as possible like gymnastics and ice skating) to make the olympics a real thing.

I've yet to hear real ideas of how usadance plans to go after getting into the olympics. And why Dancesport over something like ultimate frisbee?

Its not up to USA dance to get to the Olympics, it is up to WDSF. USA dance just like other member organization of WDSF have nothing to do with negations or financial investments that are occurring between WDSF and IOC. All the organizations can do is support the idea.

This dream maybe ridiculous to you but it is not ridiculous to many dancers including me. Olympics is not a short term goal, its a very long term idea. It will not happen for this generation of dancers. But it doesn't mean that WDSF shouldn't work with Olympic Committee to try to make it happen.

Whether you like it or not DanceSport is already inside Olympic movement. Was there for at least 12 yrs maybe more. Our couples will be participating in the World Games in Poland next year and in Alabama in 5 yrs. Instead of being very negative maybe its time that all Dancesport inside Olympics haters to look at it from a different point of view.

 

[stash]

Its not up to USA dance to get to the Olympics, it is up to WDSF. USA dance just like other member organization of WDSF have nothing to do with negations or financial investments that are occurring between WDSF and IOC. All the organizations can do is support the idea.

This dream maybe ridiculous to you but it is not ridiculous to many dancers including me. Olympics is not a short term goal, its a very long term idea. It will not happen for this generation of dancers. But it doesn't mean that WDSF shouldn't work with Olympic Committee to try to make it happen.

Whether you like it or not DanceSport is already inside Olympic movement. Was there for at least 12 yrs maybe more. Our couples will be participating in the World Games in Poland next year and in Alabama in 5 yrs. Instead of being very negative maybe its time that all Dancesport inside Olympics haters to look at it from a different point of view.

I could ask Olympic lovers to see a different point of view too...

I have seen it from a bright eyed and bushy tailed view of hopefulness. But it feels like a pipe dream until usadance or wdsf actually tells its members what it's actively working towards doing to make it a reality. Again like I said there has been no concrete goals put in place to make it more of a reality from what I have seen. Please prove me wrong...

And as for pro am gettin more expensive. Is it a chicken or egg thing where it's getting more expensive and as a result people are leaving, or is it getting expensive because people are leaving and there are less people to spread the cost around??

I don't see how any of this will help usadance fix its current issues that Ams have been complaining about.

 

[Renata Shvarts]

This particular thread is about Olympics thats why we are not discussing usadance's future plans to fix problems. There was a different thread where this was discussed. Olympics has nothing to do with USA dance problems. Its not causing them and will not fix them. There are a lot of young, energetic and knowledgeable people running who truly want to fix the problems and make a difference. So if you are a USAdance member review all the platforms, ask them questions and vote with your consciousness.

 

[stash]

But as someone running for a USADance position, and saying how this will help dancesport and by extension USAdance, I want to see how. How will we be guaranteed these sponsorships that the simmers like Ryan Lochette are getting? And you still haven't addressed my other questions which I have now posed twice, how is the greater dancesport community (governing bodies, wdsf etc) planning on appealing to the Olympic committee enough to secure a spot, over other sports that are also not on the list?

What is being done? I would assume someone like you would have some knowledge on how we plan to get into a coveted olympic spot.

 

[DL]

Renata, your argument seems to rest, in part, on an assumption that Dancesport in the Olympics will somehow net it the kind of coverage much more telegenic, popular, and storied sports like swimming, track and field, and gymnastics have. It almost certainly won't, there are already plenty of niche sports that get barely any media attention during the summer olympics.

I agree. For example, has anybody around here met anyone who got rich and famous by playing Judo?

 

[cornutt]

So Renata, here's what I think is happening. Olympics... I think everyone can see that there are potential advantages for the top people in the sport. But as far as the average dancer, the two big questions are: what? And how? I'm not saying this to be accusatory, and I myself remain open on the topic. But I think you can see the problem in this thread: everyone hears "Olympics, Olympics, Olympics". But when we ask what the potential benefits are, or what has to be done to get there, we don't get many answers. Apparently in the mind of the advocates it is self-evident, but you have to accept that in a lot of other people's minds, it isn't. And so when they ask questions and don't get any response other than the repeating of the mantra, they feel like they being railroaded, and naturally they get suspicious. Everybody wants to avoid a situation where it would either make our sport more difficult to participate in at the amateur level, or result in an ice-dancing style worldwide embarrassment that would put people off of ballroom dancing.

So here's the challenge for the advocates: what's in it for us? And what will be required of us to help it get there? Again, I'm not saying this to be accusatory. I'm saying it because I want to hear the plan. Without information, it's hard to form a rational opinion one way or the other.

 

[stash]

What Cornett said 100%.

What's the point if it's only going to help the 1% of dancers?? Trickle down theories don't work.

Also Olympic doesn't equal money. Just take a look at the woman's soccer team for USA. More winning than the men's yet gets paid so much less. So I would be so quick to make the assumption that Dancesport getting a spot in the olympics will give any dancer the opportunity that some of the athletes have.

Plus how would we know we are getting true best of the best while wds and wdsf are divided?? How would qualifiers work?? There are lots of questions that need to be answered and if they can be answered, I am all ears. But I have yet to see any.

 

[Renata Shvarts]

But as someone running for a USADance position, and saying how this will help dancesport and by extension USAdance, I want to see how. How will we be guaranteed these sponsorships that the simmers like Ryan Lochette are getting? And you still haven't addressed my other questions which I have now posed twice, how is the greater dancesport community (governing bodies, wdsf etc) planning on appealing to the Olympic committee enough to secure a spot, over other sports that are also not on the list?

What is being done? I would assume someone like you would have some knowledge on how we plan to get into a coveted olympic spot.

The reason why I didn't answer your question twice is because I am not WDSF delegate or on any WDSF council to have inside information on what is being done by them to appeal to Olympic Committee. I can tell you what has been done in the past to move DanceSport into World Games and closer to Olympics. WDSF created a new judging system that is being used at Grand Slams, World Games and next year will be used in World Championships. WDSF changed format of the finals to better appeal to television audience. And this fall you will be able to see a five part series on 4 Grand Slam competitions on TV in United States. The way they are ran and filmed is in the format that can for for Olympics. That is the best way I can answer your question.

To address the fact that I am assuming that DanceSport will get a lot of coverage on TV if Olympics picks it up. DanceSport is being covered by Euro Sport channels across all Europe already for years. TV channels will cover what people want to see. There is a reason why figure scatting and gymnastics gets a lot of coverage. Its beautiful and people enjoy watching it. I don't see why DanceSport will not achieve the same popularity if given the chance.

 

[stash]

The reason why I didn't answer your question twice is because I am not WDSF delegate or on any WDSF council to have inside information on what is being done by them to appeal to Olympic Committee. I can tell you what has been done in the past to move DanceSport into World Games and closer to Olympics. WDSF created a new judging system that is being used at Grand Slams, World Games and next year will be used in World Championships. WDSF changed format of the finals to better appeal to television audience. And this fall you will be able to see a five part series on 4 Grand Slam competitions on TV in United States. The way they are ran and filmed is in the format that can for for Olympics. That is the best way I can answer your question.

To address the fact that I am assuming that DanceSport will get a lot of coverage on TV if Olympics picks it up. DanceSport is being covered by Euro Sport channels across all Europe already for years. TV channels will cover what people want to see. There is a reason why figure scatting and gymnastics gets a lot of coverage. Its beautiful and people enjoy watching it. I don't see why DanceSport will not achieve the same popularity if given the chance.

I asked because you spoke with such authority in your previous posts that I had thought that you had some information that we amateurs do not hear about. I'm sorry for making this assumption.

But can you see where is skeptics are coming from?? No one is telling us this information of why we should support them, or giving reasons why, but still expecting our support. It's hard to back something when someone is just telling you that you just should...

 

[Renata Shvarts]

So Renata, here's what I think is happening. Olympics... I think everyone can see that there are potential advantages for the top people in the sport. But as far as the average dancer, the two big questions are: what? And how? I'm not saying this to be accusatory, and I myself remain open on the topic. But I think you can see the problem in this thread: everyone hears "Olympics, Olympics, Olympics". But when we ask what the potential benefits are, or what has to be done to get there, we don't get many answers. Apparently in the mind of the advocates it is self-evident, but you have to accept that in a lot of other people's minds, it isn't. And so when they ask questions and don't get any response other than the repeating of the mantra, they feel like they being railroaded, and naturally they get suspicious. Everybody wants to avoid a situation where it would either make our sport more difficult to participate in at the amateur level, or result in an ice-dancing style worldwide embarrassment that would put people off of ballroom dancing.

So here's the challenge for the advocates: what's in it for us? And what will be required of us to help it get there? Again, I'm not saying this to be accusatory. I'm saying it because I want to hear the plan. Without information, it's hard to form a rational opinion one way or the other.

Whats in it for us. Thats an interesting question. Whats in it for golf lovers and social golfers that golf is part of Olympics. Why do we need Olympics at all? I don't know maybe I am dramatic but when I watch opening ceremonies and I see American team walking out I feel a tightness in my throat and I get teary eyed when an anthem is playing for the gold medalist. I see grown giant men crying when receiving a medal. I don't know call me weird but i want this for ballroom dancing.

I don't know why anyone would think that Olympics will make DanceSport more difficult to participate in. On the contrary it is going to become more mainstream. Achievements in it will help high school students get scholarships for college. (My brother's x-partner received a full scholarship over $50 grand a year to NYU. Was she a great student in HS? yes. Did an entrance letter describing her experience representing USA at Olympic World Games in Cali Columbia with video of her walking with US Team of athletes at the opening ceremony help? You betcha.

To answer your question on what you can do to help, I think it is simple. Sometimes a little support (not financial) but simple positive support can do magic. Instead of putting down an idea of Olympic dream for dancers, embrace it and give it a chance. No one asking anyone for money. And maybe with a positive attitude in 10-14 yrs we will all be siting in front of television and supporting American dancers at Olympic games.

 

[Mr 4 styles]

Rebuild usa dance. Create sufficient nqes around the country to allow easy participation from all parts of the US. Make one or two spectacular nationals for seniors and youth/adult alike where everyone wants to be there ....do this then I'll turn my attention to Olympic support . I'm not sure which is the cart and which is the horse tho. The Olympics or a strong usa dance

 

[DL]

To address the fact that I am assuming that DanceSport will get a lot of coverage on TV if Olympics picks it up. DanceSport is being covered by Euro Sport channels across all Europe already for years. TV channels will cover what people want to see. There is a reason why figure [skating] and gymnastics gets a lot of coverage. Its beautiful and people enjoy watching it. I don't see why DanceSport will not achieve the same popularity if given the chance.

Right, TV channels cover what people want to see. Yet, at least in the US they're not covering dancing very much (not sure how to assess what you say about Europe). So, it must follow that people (outside Europe?) don't want to see it (just like Judo), right? Exception: DWTS. ABC figured out how to tweak dancing in such a way that people would want to see it (including a one-couple-at-a-time format as mentioned upthread, now that I think of it). However, I guess that we all agree, even people who want dancing to be in the Olympics, that we don't want DWTS to be in the Olympics...

 

[Renata Shvarts]

Rebuild usa dance. Create sufficient nqes around the country to allow easy participation from all parts of the US. Make one or two spectacular nationals for seniors and youth/adult alike where everyone wants to be there ....do this then I'll turn my attention to Olympic support . I'm not sure which is the cart and which is the horse tho. The Olympics or a strong usa dance

You making it sounds if it has to be one or the other. Making USA dance stronger and believing in Olympics has nothing to do with one another. Do you think that believing in Olympic dream will take away my ability grow USA dance? I must have not done a good job when writing my platform.