WDSF President Lukas Hinder (pictured) has urged Denis Kuznetsov to ensure the Moscow Grand Slam event goes ahead ©IWGA

The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) have urged Denis Kuznetsov to ensure this month's Moscow Grand Slam event goes ahead after accepting he is the new President of the Russian Dance Sport Union (RDSU).

The WDSF had been informed that the fifth leg of the 2016 series, due to take place between October 26 and 30, would not go ahead after receiving a letter from former RDSU President Irina Petrova.

"Hereby I confirm that RDSU is forced to cancel Grand Slam in Moscow, in October, 2016," the letter from Petrova read.

"Other competitions in these dates - will take place."

The cancellation was the latest incident involving the RDSU, threatened by the WDSF with expulsion unless a set of clearly defined conditions and provisions are met by October 31.

Petrova, who was the President of the RDSU, was among a group of officials asked to resign following complaints from several Russian dancers and officials that the RDSU was favouring one group over another.

The WDSF President Lukas Hinder provided an update on the situation surrounding the election and the Moscow Grand Slam event as the governing body sought to find a solution.

Irina Petrova had written to the WDSF claiming the Moscow Grand Slam was cancelled ©WDSF
Irina Petrova had written to the WDSF claiming the Moscow Grand Slam was cancelled ©WDSF

"Together with other members of the Managing Committee I met with Mrs Petrova and other RDSU representatives on two occasions to discuss progress in reconciling between the factions in Russian DanceSport and, particularly, in holding democratic elections," he said.

"I am all the more saddened that such elections have purportedly been held by RDSU on October 12, but that their validity appears to be contested by Mrs Petrova herself.

"What disappoints me as well as my colleagues the most, however, is that the athletes and the officials planning on taking part in the Grand Slam Moscow are deprived of this opportunity.

"The WDSF Managing Committee has been working hard - and around the world - for close to 24 hours to find viable solutions - and/or suitable alternatives."

Hinder later revealed he had received a letter from Kuznetsov which informed him that 67 RDSU Members representing 61 Regional Federations took part in a RDSU Extraordinary General Meeting on October 12.

Kuznetsov claimed to have received a total of 84 votes in an election, with the second place contender Valeriy Gulay earning 25.

The WDSF President has called upon Kuznetsov and the newly elected members of the RDSU to attempt to host the Grand Slam event as planned.