Meeting in Lausanne, SUI

Two months after assuming office, Lukas Hinder, the new President of the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), met with the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dr Thomas Bach, in Lausanne. The meeting was held at Hinder’s request and aimed to update the IOC President on the recent developments in DanceSport and its governing body.

Regarding his presidency, which he assumed after former WDSF President Carlos Freitag had stepped down in January, Hinder informed Dr Bach of his decision to stand for formal election to a one-year term at the 2016 General Meeting this June – ahead of the regular elections scheduled in 2017.

The different programmes that Hinder and the entire WDSF Presidium are working on over the coming months should all be marked by improved coordination and transparency to ensure maximum benefit for the whole of the DanceSport community. 

With a view to the practical aspects of running the organisation efficiently and in compliance with the standards of modern management, Hinder informed the IOC President of the intentions to reinforce the WDSF headquarters in Switzerland and to maintain the branch office in Spain.

Last but not least, President Hinder briefed Dr Bach on the 2020 VISION process that WDSF is currently putting much of its efforts into. Comparing it to the IOC’s own Agenda 2020, Hinder proudly reported that many of the specific measures called for in the strategic roadmap to the future of the Olympic Movement had in fact been implemented already by WDSF thanks to 2020 VISION. 

In closing, Hinder outlined the redefined and encompassing brand that DanceSport has developed into over recent years. A sport, he emphasised, that is perfectly capable of living up to the Olympic values of friendship, excellence and fairness. And a multitude of disciplines that can bring added value to the Olympic Movement. 

IOC President Bach commended Hinder for his style of governance and his keen sense for the democratic process. Furthermore, he congratulated the federation for the work, approach and vision that will unfailingly ensure a bright future for DanceSport.

A separate meeting was held with the IOC Head of Sport Partnerships & Coordination, Jenny Mann. It is reported on here. As WDSF Adviser Jean-Laurent Bourquin, who was present at both meetings, put it in the retrospective: "It was a good day for DanceSport!"

Published on 21 March 2016