Do you think that it's possible for dance to be seen as a sport in the near future?

Do you think that Dance should be seen as a sport?
Why or why not?
I would like to know...
Thank you!!

I'm a competitive Latin dancer, and I have mixed feelings about dance being termed a "sport." Certainly, there is no denying that dance at a competitive level is very physically demanding! In fact, even as an avid exerciser in very good shape, I've found few activities that test my stamina as much as practice "rounds" (all five Latin dances at tempo, two minutes per dance, with 10-15 seconds of transition between dances) of my open choreography do. After pumping out three of those "rounds" in an hour, I dare anyone to say that athleticism is not required of competitive dancers!

Even with that, I don't like the notion of dance being classified as a sport. The athleticism involved is only a *part* of what makes dance so fascinating and challenging. There is so much artistry involved, and a connection between partners that is emotional as well as physical...to call it sport seems to ignore the complexity that keeps me so passionately involved with dance.

So, what's my hope? I would like to see the physical demands of "dancesport" recognized, that's for sure! However, I don't want the current push for "dance as sport" to take precedence over the beauty and elegance of dance.

I am a ballroom dance teacher in the State of Ohio and I am here to say the ballroom is definately a sport. It is to an exhibition in the upcoming Olympics with hopes of becoming an Olympic sport. If the Olympic commitee sees enough potential for it to be in the Olympics, it must exhibit enough of the qualities of a sport. Also consider, all of the Olympic ice dancing couples use professional ballroom dance coaches for training and choreography.

Another interesting bit of information, an article I recently read sited scientific studies in which ballroom dancers were hooked up to heart monitors etc. After compiling data the scientists discovered that professional ballroom dancers exert as much energy etc. as that of Olympic runners, cyclist, etc.

I think that should be enough evidence to provide someone with the proper perspective and let them decide for themselves if ballroom dancing is a sport. Keep in mind, I am talking about someone dancing with proper techinque and control.

Thank you,

Shawn

I think it's possible. Certainly the people who do it think so. The question is whether or not the general public will ever accept it as a sport. I think the answer lies in the amount of exposure we get in the coming years, as well as the type of publicity, good or bad, and the methods we as dancers choose to expose it.

Should ballroom dancing be seen as a sport? I think so, as long as the sport element in it doesn't overtake the artistic element. Like all forms of dancing, I think ballroom should be thought of first and foremost as art.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Atkinson