Changes made to IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport Rulebook

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has changed its rulebook for wheelchair dance sport, with the new rules being implemented from 2014-2017.

Coming into force on 1 August, the biggest change sees the creation of two new events for the sport - singles and freestyle.

The singles event will allow athletes to dance alone as the current events require a partner, with their dance judged on rhythm and technical skills, as well as musicality, performance and charisma.

And the freestyle event will allow athletes to have more creative freedom over their dances, with dances judged according to their technical skills, choreography and presentation, and difficulty level.

They will be allowed to choose any music that they desire, including mixing songs together. Their dance will then be judged on things like rhythm and performance.

Athletes also have free choice over the type of costume and make-up during their freestyle performance, but it should reflect the programme, performance and age of the dancers.

The IPC hope that these rule changes will allow the sport to reach new countries and new athletes of all ages.

Currently, wheelchair dance sport incorporates two conventional events - combi (standard and latin) and duo (standard and latin).

Separated into classes one and two, within the standard events, the athletes dance waltz, viennese waltz, quick step, slow foxtrot, and tango. In latin, they dance rumba, samba, cha-cha-cha, paso doble and jive.

Another change to the rulebook is relation to sponsors on the wheelchairs. The advertising guidelines can be viewed on the wheelchair dance sport website.

For more information, visit the IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport website.