ITALIAN NEWS.....SECOND PART

Augusto Schiavo

February 6, 2011

ITALIAN NEWS.....SECOND PART

“In Britain, there are some of the biggest competitions in the world”, says Andrea Ghigiarelli whom, with Sara Andracchio, is champion of standard dances (Waltz Viennese and English, Tango, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep) and holder of a fair number of medals Olympic values: “The UK Championship, International and Blackpool, which is the Wimbledon of dance. To participate in these competitions, win, gives an absolute prestige. That goes beyond the stakes: it gives visibility, it ensures calls abroad, it enhances our curriculum. Prevent us from participating is an enormous damage”. The last year they resigned from FIDS and they win Blackpool. The same thing for Stefano Di Filippo, champion of latin-american dances with Olga Umorova, known also for his participation at a couple of editions of “Ballando con le stelle” (the italian “Dancing with the Stars”). He also decided not to dance more for Italy and wrote a letter to the “dance people”. He wrote: “It was given a pass word for the International, and then I received invitation for not do it. We attended the same, bringing honor to our flag, and receiving in exchange only silence and isolation. It is not right to feel in difficulty for choices that have little of sports and lot of political”.
“In these years we product the best of the Latin-American dances. It’s really sad, for a man of Federation like me, be forced to work abroad”, echoed his technical, Tino Michielotto. And the list can goes on.
Why this prohibition, that the italian Federation introduced simultaneously with the russian Federation? It’s not very clear. But the author of the decision is inflexible. “Can call me the English Queen to try to convince me, but nothing will change”, wrote Galvagno: “There is always the possibility to attend at the German Open, the Russian Open, and the italian competitions”. And he remarks the no: “I understand that these couples who have calibrated their career on the English events are uncomfortable. But the Britain is no longer the leader nation in the dance sport and I wanted to break a way of doing: competitions promoted from an organization managed from 30-40 persons in the world, bring to power a market for teachers. Anyone who complains is a small minority. The Federation, instead, continues to grow”.
It is one form of protection of the made in italy? “Partly”, he say.
In short, the impression is that Galvagno intend to snub the English competitions in order to emphasize the autonomy of the FIDS and track an italian alternative. Strong, also in the numbers: just elected in 2001, the Federation had 22 thousand members. Today there are 108 thousand subscribers, 24 thousand athletes, 3700 technicians. But for athletes the ban penalizes, discriminates. It threat the competition: is not by chance, that an instance that complains the violation of the principles of free competition has just been lodged at the authority for the competition and the market.
“Too many rules, and the impression that all is business. We are out of the Federation since two years. For this we have a ban for show in Italy. And think that in 2009 we won Blackpool”, say Emanuele Soldi, 30 years old, from Donoratico, that dance with Elisa Nasato, from Treviso. Who has not reached the big step, meditate to do it: Fabio Modica and Tinna Hoffman, for example. They danced in Demark. Then they decide to transfer to Italy. “With enormous sacrifices”, say Modica: “The UK Championship were our trampoline. Since last year we had a ban on dancing in a dozen races. I want to stay in FIDS but the situation is heavy”.
“I have tried to mediate but did not succeed”, adds Mirko Gozzoli, 35 years old, from Livorno, the athlete that with his six rolls, with Edita Daniute, has primacy in dance standard: “I have been first authorized, but two months later arrived the disqualification for me”.

Resentment, criticism, Galvagno goes straight on his way. And at the national assembly of Bologna, on the 6 of February, he will present the project of an academy of dance sport. Where? In Costigliole Saluzzo, near Cuneo. Three thousand residents, including him. “At the moment is only a proposal”, he say. While Italy continues to dance and bring out champions. Like in Rome, in Borgata Finocchio, were the Friday night fever is for training of racing: here many couples are preparing to win trophies, certificates and medals. Like Bruno and Loredana that dancing since 20 years, compete in the under 56 category and consider the dance “a recipe for love”. Or like Vincenzo and Sonia, who train for two hours a day in spite of the night shift of him: they are leaving for the World Championships in Anversa. “We laugh, even with the tired, we laugh”, urges Manuela Andracchio, champions with Maurizio Ghigiarelli of Latin-American dances, while she system blades and push navels. Passes, beautiful, the 20 years old Jasmina Berardi, with a short shirt, and a formidable piercing: there is an ovation. Because she is a specialist in national pride: with Roberto Bianchi, they are the couple that has won more international competitions in the Caribbean dances. Serious, also the children dancing: Federico and Valentina, age 13, the mother of the boy accompanying him from L’Aquila and waits behind the door. Damiano and Sara, 14, are ready for their first competition. These are couplese born in the schools. That perhaps, and it happens on time, will confirme in life. They are variously sorted, until they dance and seems an only one thing: Simone and Serena, hairs like Joaquin Cortes for him, her sinuous like Pochaontas; Riccardo and Sonia, 22, on the floor since 16; Rosario and Tiziana ooze sympathy. Jessica, platinum blonde, who protest with her partner “You deconcentrate me”. “And now a jive”, silences all the teacher: “for Andrea and Sara, who have won at Bournemouth.”
THE END