I have started a petition for UK based dancers and anyone else involved to get Dancesport included in the 2012 olympics.
We hope you will sign this as if we work together we could be a powerful force!
http://dance104.valuehost.co.uk/Mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=199&Itemid=66

Where's the petition to free dancing from the influence of the IOC?

Not everyone has to agree with people who are narrow minded with regard to dance as a sport. If you dont aggree, dont sign :)
I am trying to raise awareness and the olympics, even as a demonstration event will do that. Regardless of your feelings on that, several million people being aware of something you supposedly enjoy is a good thing I think.
The IOC aggree that it fulfils the criteria of an olympic sport, it just hasnt been included, supposedly due to timetable restrictions. As far as I am concerned, if its ok with the IOC they know what they are talking about.

Caroline, the Olympic dream is over! The IOC recently made the decision that dance would NOT be included. 40 years ago we started chasing the olympic vision, perhaps things were not really handled correctly, as all we ended up with was a lot of burocracy and political problems. Even if you try to package the Art of Dance as sport, there is still going to be a high level of creativity, individual artistic interpretation, which can't give a clear cut judging decision which can be made if running a race where the first person across the line is the winner. Put Bill & Bobbie & Peter & Brenda on the same floor, they are both the best but totally different in their interpretation. That is what happens in Dance (and always will). Some will be unhappy about the IOC decision, some will see it as a benefit to the future of Dance.