Wheelchair dance allows mixed nationality couples

Temporary waiver for all competitions, except World or regional championships, is introduced to further develop the sport. 18 Oct 2013
Imagen
2012 Holland Dansspektakel
By IPC

It has long been a challenge for dancers in some regions and countries to find partners to practice and train with, as well as gain experience of elite competition.

IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport has introduced temporary rules which will allow dancers who cannot find partners with the same nationality to compete together at smaller competitions.

Following feedback received from several countries, and in order to develop the sport at a national level, an exemption to the existing Nationality Policy was published this month (October).

The exemption from the 2011 policy introduces a transitional period of four years in which athletes can compete with each other, even if they are not from the same country.

The new ruling does not include World or regional championships, where couples will still have to be the same nationality to enter, and they will not be able to compete if neither of them is a national of the National Paralympic Committee that enters them. Points or rankings will also be disregarded for qualification to World championships or regional competitions.

This will prevent mixed-nationality couples from entering competitions purely to gain a competitive advantage.

Instead, the exemption will enable more athletes to compete at national competitions where they can develop their skills and techniques before moving on to find a partner with the same nationality.

It has long been a challenge for dancers in some regions and countries to find partners to practice and train with, as well as gain experience of elite competition.

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