Male and female athletes pair up in DanceSport to compete together on the same field of play – and for the same awards. The first international contest in what was back then called 'ballroom dancing' took place in 1909 – in Paris. Or was it even earlier: in 1907, when French choreographer and enterpreneur Camille de Rhynal staged the first tango tournament in Nice?

In any case, world championships under the auspices of the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF) are held annually ever since 1957 in distinct styles and formats. In Standard, which comprises altogether five dances (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, Quickstep), and in Latin American, which comprises five dances as well: the Samba, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive! In Ten Dance, the format which combines all Standard and Latin American dances performed by the same couples in a one-day event. Or in Formation Dance, which features eight couples dancing a fixed choreography in either Standard or Latin American!

That truly universal DanceSport needed to expand beyond the Standard and Latin dances has long been recognized by the IDSF. World championships in Rock 'n' Roll, Pop, Street as well as in other dance styles are conducted under the rules and regulations of IDSF Associate Members such as the World Rock 'n' Roll Confederation and International Dance Organization. For the first time ever, competition Rock 'n' Roll featured alongside the more classic disciplines in The World Games 2005 Duisburg.

Proper technique is the foundation in DanceSport. At the competitive level, however, athletes are expected to combine their technique with elements of athleticism, artistry and aesthetics. To guarantee fairness, transparency and objectivity in the evaluation of such a unique blend, the world governing body has established a judging system based on the direct comparison of the couples' performances. Only objective criteria are to be applied by the judges.

Through elimination rounds couples taking part in a competition are reduced to the final between the very best. In the finals of every dance, the judges place each couple in their own standings. Winners are the couple with the most 'firsts' accumulated in the different dances.

DanceSport is growing at a spectacular rate all over the world! The Chinese DanceSport Federation reported in a recent survey (July 2007) on 70,000 top-level athletes and on a staggering 30 million who participate regularly in Latin and Standard alone. DanceSport grew in South Africa by 13% in 2006 – football registered a more modest 2% growth there in the same year. What is even more encouraging: of the 9,000 licensed athletes in South Africa 6,440 are reported between the ages of 9 and 18.

Popular television programs such as the Eurovision Dance Contest, which is held annually in association with the IDSF, will reinforce the positive trends in DanceSport's development even further.

 DanceSport at The World Games 2005

DanceSport events on the Official Sports Program of The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung:

Latin, Rock 'n' Roll, Standard