Tekst van Dr. Gertrude Krombholz
Els-Britt Freijd, 
13th April 1936 in Hallstahammar to 28th December 2014 in Hallstahammar/Växjö, Sweden
I have been deeply hurt by the sudden death of Els-Britt. I will think back of a wonderful friend and colleague. The first time I met her was in 1982 at the Oslo Open. She was registered as dancer and the head of the Swedish wheelchair dancers. Els-Britt competed herself together with David Doma in 1985 and 1986 in the Oslo Open. Many other competitions in Wheelchair Dancing in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany again brought us together.
In 1989 a historical meeting – the “International Conference of Wheelchair Dancing” – with 40 dancers from 13 countries took place in München/ Germany. It was the start of a new way for Wheelchair Dance Sport to a full recognition of the international organizations of s
ports of disabled. A “Working Committee” was established. One of the first five members was Els-Britt. As the result the ISOD recognized “Wheelchair Dancing” as an “official sport” in June 1989. In the following years an “ISOD Sub Committee” with Els-Britt as member became responsible for establishing all the rules including the classification and the connection to the existing international associations (1993 EPC, 1995 IPC as an Affiliated IPC Sport and 1998 as IPC Sport). Els-Britt was elected as member some periods until 1999 and was a competent colleague and hard worker all the ten years. She was highly respected by all due to her great experience and knowledge. She played a key role in the development of Wheelchair Dance Sport.
Els-Britt is the mother of Wheelchair Dancing in Sweden. From 1968 “free” dancing was organized in the youth club GLOBEN of DHR (De Handikappades Riksförbund) in Sweden. 1975 she was the first who organized a Wheelchair Dancing Competition in Västerås with three dances (“fox-trot, vals, modern pop”) in Combi Style. 30 couples from all over Sweden took part in this competition. In the following year the unofficial Swedish Championships were held in Stockholm and in 1977 the first international competition with Thor Erik Kleppe and Bente Grönli from Norway was organized in Gothenburg. 1979 Wheelchair Dance were accepted by SHIF (Svenska Handikappidrottsforbundet) and included into their sports program.
The Swedish Team under the leadership of Els-Britt participated from 1978 until 1987 in the Oslo Open, at that time the largest international event of Wheelchair Dance Sport. A lot of national competitions also Swedish Championships were organized under the supervision of Els-Britt from 1976 until 2008 – e. g. in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Falun, Sundsvall, Vasteras, Malmoe, Norrkoping, Tibro, Eskilstuna, Vaxjo, Orebro, Solna, Halmstad, Kalmar, Falkoping, Norrkoping and Bollnäs.
1997 was a highlight for her and all Swedish dancers: The 4th European Championships Wheelchair Dance Sport in Härnösand under the umbrella of Queen Silvia of Sweden – a fantastic organized event – took place. Her Majesty congratulated Els-Britt personally very heartily and thankfully.
Els-Britt was highly respected by me and all dancers around the world. Our sincerest condolences to her husband Håkan, her daughter Margareta and her family who helped and cooperated with Els-Britt in all situations. Els-Britt will stay in our heart forever. We will perpetuate her memory.
Yours Krombine
(Dr. Gertrude Krombholz, Germany)
LEARN YE TO DANCE,
OR ELSE THE HEAVENTLY ANGELS WON´T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH YOU
(Augustinus 354 – 430)
Fotos:
- Els-Britt as dancer together with David Doma in Djaknedansen, Vasteras 1986
- 1st ISOD European Championships 1991 in München/ Germany,
Foundation of the “ISOD Sub Committee”
- 4th EPC European Championships 1997 in Härnösand/ Sweden
together with Queen Silvia of Sweden and Krombine