Ensuring Competition Fairness and Independence

SAFEGUARDING ATHLETES: ENSURING FAIRNESS AND INDEPENDENCE IN WDSF COMPETITIONS

From the WDSF Safeguarding Officer, Isabelle Tay 

Dear Athletes, 

I hope you are doing well and feeling proud of the effort you’ve put into your training and competitions this season. As our sport continues to grow, some of you have shared honest concerns about the pressure that can sometimes surround judging, such as feeling expected to train with certain coaches, attend specific camps, or align with particular groups. 

These situations can cause stress and uncertainty, and they undermine confidence that results truly reflect performance. WDSF takes these concerns seriously. Judging must be independent, and every athlete deserves to compete knowing that their effort, not their affiliations, determines the outcome. 

WDSF has therefore issued a strong reminder to all licensed adjudicators about their ethical duties and their responsibility to protect the integrity of the WDSF competition system. These steps are part of our commitment to ensuring you can train and compete in an environment that is safe, fair, and free from undue influence. 

In the letter issued to adjudicators, they were reminded that: 

• Athletes must never be pressured, directly or indirectly, to attend specific training camps, take lessons, or align with particular groups associated with adjudicators.  

• Collaboration between adjudicators for training purposes is acceptable, but it must never create an impression of favouritism or special access. 

• Any form of biased judging, score manipulation, predetermined rankings or match-fixing is strictly prohibited. 

• Public promotion of future judging appointments, or any activity that creates a conflict of interest, may lead to disciplinary action.  

Monitoring and disciplinary actions 

WDSF has introduced an intensive evaluation process for adjudicator performance. This began with WDSF Championship events and WDSF GrandSlam, and will expand further. 

As of November 2025, WDSF has already taken disciplinary action in several confirmed cases across WDSF GrandSlam and World Championship events, and additional investigations are ongoing. 

Depending on the severity of each breach, adjudicators may be excluded from invitations for 12 to 24 months or longer, and in serious cases, their licenses will not be renewed. 

Reporting pressure or inappropriate behaviour 

Safeguarding is not limited to preventing harassment and abuse. It also protects athletes from coercion, undue influence, and situations that undermine fairness. If you have ever felt pressured or made to feel obligated by an adjudicator, for example to attend a camp, take private lessons, join a team, or engage in anything that made you uncomfortable, you may report it directly to me. Your report will be handled confidentially and with care. 

You may also report technical or procedural breaches to: 

• Mr. Nenad Jeftic, Vice President for Sports – nenad.jeftic@wdsf.org 

• Mr. Sergey Nifontov, WDSF General Secretary – sergey.nifontov@wdsf.org 

Our commitment to you 

Your safety, respect, and fair treatment are central to our sport. The measures we’re putting in place aim to create a fairer environment, where you can focus fully on your dancing and trust that the system continues to improve for everyone. 

Sincerely, 

Isabelle Tay 
WDSF Safeguarding Officer 

isabelle.tay@wdsf.org