SRF Documentary issues rectification over inconsistencies
In January 2025, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) was the subject of a biased, factually incorrect report by Swiss broadcaster SRF. Despite our vehement denial of all accusations and evidence provided in support thereof, SRF nevertheless proceeded to publish their report. Our rebuttals were given minimal space in the reporting itself (11% of the entire written piece and even less representation in the video reporting) and, as a result, WDSF was shown in a completely false light.
The overarching accusation that WDSF misused Breaking in an attempt to get other DanceSport disciplines onto the Olympic sports programme is not only false, but also an accusation that we clearly demonstrated to be incorrect prior to publication by SRF.
Following the reporting in question, WDSF sent SRF two letters detailing all the instances where their reporting was erroneous/denigrating and asked that a counterstatement be published. After initially rejecting our request with a superficial explanation that lacked any substantive arguments, SRF finally caved in and agreed to publish a short and largely truncated version of our counterstatement at the bottom of the offending article online.
The counterstatement was published in German, the language of publication. For your benefit, an AI-translated version follows:
“The article claims that WDSF had a hand in Breaking not being considered for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This is untrue. It is true that the LA28 Organizing Committee pursued other visions.
The article also claims that the WDSF “misused” Breaking in order to make its own dance styles Standard and Latin Olympic. This is also untrue. The WDSF has been trying since at least 1992 to include all of its recognized DanceSport disciplines in the Olympic Games (Breaking has been recognized by the WDSF as an official DanceSport since 2004).
Since Breaking was accepted as an Olympic DanceSport by the IOC in 2016 for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, the WDSF has fully supported Breaking financially. The WDSF has therefore neither misused nor otherwise neglected this DanceSport.”
While this concession may be viewed as a minor victory for WDSF, the fact remains that a blatantly misleading and factually incorrect report remains in the public domain. As a result, and for reasons of transparency, WDSF has decided to disclose all correspondence with SRF, including:
1. letter from WDSF to SRF dated January 22, 2025 (English and German)
2. reply letter from SRF to WDSF dated January 24, 2025 (English [AI translation] and German)
3. letter from WDSF to SRF dated January 30, 2025 (English and German)
4. reply letter from SRF to WDSF dated February 4, 2025 (English [AI translation] and German)
The correspondence shows that WDSF denied all the allegations made by SRF in their reporting while providing the reasoning behind each counterargument. It conveys the position of WDSF in detail and is
intended to enable you to form your own opinion.
We remain available to answer any questions or clarify any points you may find confusing.
On behalf of the WDSF Managing Committee,
Sergey Nifontov
WDSF General Secretary
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