| Article | : | GOC Mannheim 2002 (9)
On the spot report by Werner J. Braun
Notes
GOC was honoured by various personalities of high rank, such as all the members of the GOC Steering Committee, various Presidents of National Associations and Federations, The Ambassador of England, Mark Twigg, The Consul General of Moldova, Dumitru Socolan, the German Federal Minister of Justice, Prof. Dr. Deubler-Gmelin, Member of German Federal Parliament and former Mayor of Mannheim, Lothar Mark, Vice Mayor of Mannheim, Norbert Egger and the Mayor of Mannheim for Sports, Dr. Peter Kurz. The only missing VIP was Lord Mayor of Mannheim Gerhard Widder. He again was on holidays. But nobody understands that the Lord Mayor of Mannheim does not take notice of Germanys biggest sports event, which takes place in his town. Would it not be possible to postpone the holidays or just come back for one day?
It never happened before, that with a team match, the audience gave a long-lasting standing ovation for a presentation. Viktor Nikovski, captain of the Russian youth team was so outstanding: funny, sportive, artistic and musical, that he was honoured this way. Congratulations Viktor
It was said, that the panel of judges would have improved. Sometimes I had the impression that besides the quality national judging still happened. Who likes to go into details, should have a look at the markings of the finals, especially of the competitions for youngsters.
The electronic marking system really is a big advantage. Immediately you see the marks of all the judges at a time. But you also see, that after the second and the third marking, the differences in the marks vanish. Is it wrong when somebody said, that it would be better, would be fairer, when the open marking would start only after the third dance? I think it should be worth being discussed.
In some competitions the timing should be considered. It really is not good, when from 130 starting couples the judges are forced to go back to 60. Especially with the GOC, where most of the youngsters come from far away - even from Siberia in the far east of Russia - it is not ok when they have only one round to dance. We should not forget, that those couples came to Mannheim travelling thousands and more kilometres and then are out of competition after just have danced one round. Especially in the East of Europe there is not much convertible money and the parents save every cent to give their children the chance to participate in Mannheim. We should appreciate this.
This year the "GOC Award La Dance" was celebrated during one of the competition evenings. I heard many voices who were of the opinion, that this precious award, created by Rosengarten Boss Michel Maugé, is so well known and accepted in the World of DanceSport and in the meantime recognised as the "Oscar" of DanceSport, that it deserves a special evening, as it was in the past. It should be a special Gala, a real Highlight of the GOC, with a special program.
It should be recognised that the cameramen of the Rhein-Neckar Television Company made a very good impression. Their black shirts and trousers matched the high standard of the event. The other TV stations should take this as an example.
Sibylle Dornseiff, the charming head of the GOC Press Office, could give an impressive report: 84 Journalists from all over the World, 15 TV-Stations, 21 photographers and 6 radio stations from 9 different countries reported about the event.
It is a great feeling when at the end of any price presentation the National Anthem of the winners is played. This time the first was the Russian and the last one the German Anthem. But couples competing in international events should know that they should face the flags during the National Anthem is played. Only the Seniors behaved perfectly.
The International DanceSport Academy will start in 2003. I will offer preparatory classes for DanceSport events for couples, coaches and judges under the special direction of Donnie Burns MBE and Bill Irvine MBE with many international lecturers. You may show your interest right away.
Contact address: International DanceSport Academy, c/o "m-con", Rosengartenplatz 2, D 68161 Mannheim, fon:49 (0)621 4106 8686, fax:49 (0)621 4106 86 87. E-mail:info@dance-sport-academy.de, Homepage: http://www.dance-sport-academy.de
The 16th German Open Championships were a real success. Thanks to Organiser Michel Maugé and his innovative ideas the event surpassed those of the previous years. The whole organising team did a great job. Their work has to be appreciated so much.
The 17th GOC event is already approaching. See you again on 13. - 16. August 2003 in the Mannheim Congress Centre Rosengarten
Werner J. Braun |
