2 PRESS RELEASES BY IDSF PRESIDENT

Recently there have been 2 letters written by the IDSF President (2011/4 and 2011/5) and it would seem that there is a general sense of alarm in the IDSF. The President is claiming that there is widespread misinformation. In that respect he is very correct but the question must be who is distributing the misinformation and these letters open many questions.
.
IDSF, it would seem, are so alarmed at recent developments that they have written to the President of Sports Accord and the President of ARISF. It seems the IDSF message is believe us and ignore the evidence and everyone else. Panic? Frustration?

It would seem that the WDC Open Market Policy, the principles that everyone involved in competitive dance should have Freedom to Dance and Freedom to Work and be treated with dignity are a huge thorn in the side of the IDSF and causing them chagrin. These are principles enshrined in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and the Olympic Charter and the laws of many countries and each and every day IDSF are aware that they breach these principles in search for total power and control. When IDSF know what they are doing is wrong it is hard for them to find excuses to justify so we read such letters.

To suggest that the many people working for Freedom to Dance are false friends of dance is to stand logic on its head. This is a claim by the IDSF President which cannot stand scrutiny.

There is one consistency in these two filled with inconsistencies letters . IDSF want power, they want only an IDSF system and will stop at nothing in an attempt to achieve that..

There are words in letter 2011/5 concerning Coaches and Adjudicators with which I completely agree. Of course you will always have the connection between the two. However what the vast majority of dancers in the world question is the link between a certain "Team", started in Italy, and their coaches and adjudicators and the requirement that there "must be a return on investment". Many dancers ask why do IDSF fail to investigate? Why do the IOC not investigate? The question has been put directly to the Ethics Department of the IOC without them showing any interest.

Let us examine the letters.

2011/4.

This gives a report on the President's visit to England and the meetings he had. Meetings which did not always go the way IDSF wished. So we read gloss and spin. We also read the words about the "Progressive" coaches who wish to work with IDSF. Clearly stung by rejection the IDSF President believes it is good to insult many brilliant coaches who reject his thinking. There is almost desperation in his thinking and especially when he chooses to heap praise on someone who has made no contribution to the development of dancing in England and who was supposed to retire some years ago but loves the importance IDSF has besrowed upon him and clings to office.

We read these words:
Members will be aware of the ongoing discussions about the most famous English DanceSport competitions, and IDSF. On this subject, as on some other subjects in DanceSport today, there are too many rumours and guesses, and too few facts. I am writing to provide you with some current, accurate information about IDSF and England.
First, despite the rumours that are being spread by people who proclaim “Freedom to Dance” but are false friends to dancing, I emphasize what I have said before the IDSF Presidium will not take action against athletes, adjudicators and other officials who participate in the “Top Three” competitions in England in 2011, namely, the Blackpool Festival; the International Ballroom Championships at the Royal Albert Hall, London; and the U.K. Open Championships at Bournemouth, England.

The IDSF President regrettably does not tell us whom he accuses of spreading rumour but in fact is it not IDSF themselves?

•. IDSF issue a letter saying you can only dance within the IDSF system then issue a letter such as 2011/4 saying something else
•. IDSF write about 2011 and say nothing about 2012 and beyond. Progressive people care about their future.
• IDSF write about the International Championship and specifically mention the Royal Albert Hall, London, but ignore Brentwood in Essex. What is the situation regarding Brentwood where there will be many events for various age groups?


Perhaps letter 2011/5 gives us some answers. Perhaps, but who knows this is IDSF and what is policy on Monday need not be policy on Tuesday.

One time everyone was simply an athlete. We were told the terms Amateur and Professional belonged in the dinosaur era but suddenly we have an IDSF Professional Division. One time we had to believe it was SPORT and now it is "Artistic Sport". Tomorrow - who knows?

We read in this letter :
In addition, as you know, after repeated unsuccessful attempts to reach an agreement with WDC, IDSF followed the advice of IDSF’s late Ambassador-At-Large, Juan Antonio Samaranch, to establish our own IDSF Professional Division or “PD”. As one of our largest and most prominently successful members FIDS was the leader in this difficult process, and FIDS President Ferruccio Galvagno was person who was its most vocal and visible spokesman from 2006 until its creation. As a result Mr. Galvagno was the single person who was most identified with these initiatives.

Is this really the fact? Is Mr Galvagno not identified with the aborted IPDSC (International Professional Dance Sport Council) at the formation of which he received a tumultuous standing ovation and appointed to be Honorary President? Was the IPDSC not created following the endeavours of Mr Galvagno at an AGM of the IDSF? Remember of course IDSF went to Court and swore IPDSC had nothing to do with them it was totally independent. This begs the question also, what did the late Juan Antonio Samaranch know about dance? Did he have detailed conversations with the World Dance Council? How could he give advice when hearing only one side of a story? There are those with no connection to dance/dancesport who say it was a mistake to get so involved with only one IOC IF and it has stained his memory.

In 2011/5 we read these words

FIDS has begun to progressively enforce its rule that its athletes cannot participate in competitions which are not registered in the IDSF system, including WDC’s largest and most profitable competitions, which are produced in England

The overwhelming impression left by these words of the IDSF President is that he derives great satisfaction from the action of FIDS. Perhaps this explains what will happen in 2012 if these 3 English events do not become closed only to IDSF dancers and adjudicators. Perhaps it is the words of the IDSF President that explain the rumours.

The truth? WDC has no WDC events in England (save when they are awarded a World or European Championship). They certainly have WDC and WDC AL Ranking Events but they gain no profit nor suffer loss. Why give misinformation Mr IDSF President?

Reading letter 2011/5 one would conclude that Mr Alberto Pregnolato held high office with the Itailan Dance Council the WDC member for Italy, that he had been outspoken in his support of IDC/WDC and had supported and adjudicated regularly at the WDC AL Open World Championship in Paris. The truth is that this is not and has not been the case. We have IDSF innuendo in their attempt to damage Mr Pregnalato and the WDC. This is unacceptable from any organisation never mind one which claims to be "The" organisation.

It is most unfortunate that when letters are issued by the IDSF President they do not clarify facts, contain misinformation, unsustained allegations and raise more questions. .In recent months the IDSF has without doubt suffered severe setbacks through their policies.

Whilst all this has been going on the WDC have successfully negotiated an agreement with WADA, created an Education Department with a Committee including prominent Sport Coaches, had an event run under the auspices of the Russian Olympic Committee and seen their President honoured by the Russian Olympic Committee and also the Russian Government. Of course they have also been honoured by further growth in the WDC Amateur League. There has been growth in those interested in "Freedom to Dance".



The IOC have admitted they have no authority to impose one body in any activity. UNESCO CID have recognised the World Dance Council, WADA have recognised WDC in the Competitive discipline of dance. It is now time for IDSF to acklnowledge the existance and importance of the oldest body in dance and work for peace. To work for the development of dance for the benefit of everyone who loves the Waltz, Tango, Vienniese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive and of course all the many other dances.



www.dance-matters.com

Hi GoSwissGo

What a post!

It is cut and clean.
Thank you! The writing is on the wall.

As always: When “other people” in the world start recognizing an Organization, such as in this case the WDC, and nothing is self-proclaimed – you do something right!

This is the writing in the wall – it means: it is not important how many times the IDSF proclaims to “be the Olympic Dance Sport Org” or else but recognition comes from the most important people in Sport (Russia, WADA UNESCO CID and else)
You must start worrying if everything you did was correct.

On top: The IDSF only has 8 dances – not 10. Maybe that was the downfall?
It was not a local IDSF agent that gave the interview – no, it was Mr. Freitag himself.

Moshe thinks: IDSF, sit down and get your act together. Don’t forget where you come from: from the ICAD that was founded by the ICBD – in case you have forgotten, ask the team of the former ICAD what it was all about.

The caravan has moved on – the development in our Dance Industry has reached new frontiers. Despite the fact the IDSF tried by all means (GoSwissGo has named some) including, discrimination, intimidation, professional prohibition of Adjudicators and Coaches, the WDC and WDC_AL overcame all the hassle and is getting stronger. Growing! The WDC has very dedicated and hard working people. Free supporters. Everybody bear in mind: you cannot stop freedom. You cannot stop freedom to dance, because you have a freedom of choise. We all have freedom to work and freedom of opinion.

Moshe said before: our best marketing-partner is the IDSF. Thank you.

Moshe Levy
משה לוי‎