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Ballroom Dancing Seeks to Step Into Olympics

TV success leads to push for IOC bosses to take on the tango

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 7, 2008 5:52 AM CDT
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(Newser) – An explosion in the popularity of ballroom dancing has got fans hoping it can quickstep its way past golf, bridge and bowling to the top of the waiting list for new Olympic sports, the Wall Street Journal reports. Olympic honchos place a lot of importance on big audiences, and the global success of Dancing With the Stars has pulled in tens of millions of viewers.

Proposals to add ballroom dancing to the Olympic roster have caused spats in the dance world, with dancers unable to agree if what they're doing is a sport, a contest, an art—or all three. "DanceSport" has been recognized by the Olympics, but with the IOC's dance card for 2012 filled and the short list of sports for consideration for 2016 already set,  the chance of a gold medal for the foxtrot is 12 years away, at best.

In this image released by ABC, Mark Ballas and Kristi Yamaguchi compete on Dancing With The Stars, Monday, May 19, 2008, in Los Angeles.
In this image released by ABC, Mark Ballas and Kristi Yamaguchi compete on "Dancing With The Stars," Monday, May 19, 2008, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/ABC, Kelsey McNeal)
This image provided by ABC Inc., shows Jonathan Roberts and Marie Osmond performing on Dancing with the Stars, Monday Nov. 12, 2007
This image provided by ABC Inc., shows Jonathan Roberts and Marie Osmond performing on "Dancing with the Stars," Monday Nov. 12, 2007   (AP Photo/ABC Inc., Carol Kaelson)
People dance in a Teenager Sport Place operated by the government and offering ballroom dancing in Hanoi, Vietnam, on March 25, 2005.
People dance in a "Teenager Sport Place" operated by the government and offering ballroom dancing in Hanoi, Vietnam, on March 25, 2005.   (KRT Photos)
A school of dance, Paris. The growing popularity of ballroom dancing has led to renewed calls for it to be included as an Olympic sport.
A school of dance, Paris. The growing popularity of ballroom dancing has led to renewed calls for it to be included as an Olympic sport.   (Magnum Photos)
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COMMENTS
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Is ballroom really a sport?
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sports • Dancing with the Stars • dancing • dance • Olympic Games • International Olympic Committee

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