Until recently, ballroom dancing suffered an image crisis
Hordes of teenagers are embracing the sport and taking it into an era of its own.
Rita Thomas from the English Amateur Dancesport Association admits readily that the sport did previously have an image problem amongst youngsters.
"The term ballroom throws it more than anything and the popularity of the form did suffer when disco hit the scene," says Ms Thomas.
"In response the International Federation entered freestyle into the sport whereby people could rock 'n'roll and dance solo, and this has proved popular amongst the young."
The EADA has seen its numbers swell to around 2,800 members, all of whom regularly enjoy ballroom dancing.
Teenagers have shunned the stereotypes, seen through the chiffon and are now perceiving the dance form as a sport.
The old image of dinner dances and social engagements is out. Ballroom dancing, or Dancesport, to give it its hip, new name, is approached in the same way as football or tennis.
"With Dancesport they have to know their steps and the youngsters have to have a high level of fitness." says Ms Thomas.
The change of perception has also been aided by the closure of dozens of traditional dancehalls. This has meant that increasing numbers of Dancesport competitions are taking place in a school or local authority sports halls, so youngsters develop their interest at an early age.
Olympic hopes
At the tender age of 15, Mark Elsbury has already held the coveted title of British open juvenile champion. His father John Elsbury who is a member of the National Association of sports coaches is quick to defend his son's participation in the sport.
"Whenever there has been any criticism I've responded by saying when was the last time you had a pretty girl in your arms or travelled around the world doing what you enjoy most," says Mr Elsbury.
The new image received a boost in September when Dancesport was granted provisional Olympic recognition.
What this means for teenagers keen to win an Olympic gold is that their dream will have to be put on hold while the International Olympic Committee thrash out the merits for the sport in time for 2000 or 2004 games.
Golf is also vying for a place at the next Olympics but both sports will have to meet all of the IOC's stringent criteria.
One of the rules is that the sport has to have been practised by men in at least 50 countries and women in at least 35 countries, across three continents.
According to Mr Elsbury, Dancesport should be included in the next Olympics.
"The level of dedication and fitness is just as high as any of the sports currently seen in the Olympics," he says.
"Dancesport has an excellent chance. We have had an enormous amount of support even from as far as Australia. I don't believe anything that is not a "first-past-the-post" sport should not be classed as a sport."
With that sort of confidence, he, and the cream young of talent, can almost see themselves in Sydney in 2000.