The Olympic summer games in London have started! For some, I'm sure it's sad to see that pole dancing isn't one of the recognized sports. We've petitioned for years to no avail. Nonetheless, many of you will continue to push until we can compete for the gold. :) And so, I ask my pole brothers and sisters: Where do you stand on the debate of pole dancing possibly becoming an Olympic sport?
I, for one, would love to see it happen one day. But on the other hand, I'm addicted to the "sexy-flexi," stiletto wearing style and am afraid how the Olympics can change the culture. Thoughts?
Pole dance can be whatever you make of it.
ReplyDeleteIf you wanna go acrobatic you can.
If the next day you wanna go high-heels&platform-sexy you can.
That's the beauty of it.
I believe that as long as the heels are left out it has what it takes to be an olympic sport.
When it comes to acrobatics, the pole is just another aerial apparel. It requires strenght, coordination, grace...
Once people look past the prejudice and see this other side of the pole, the Olympics will be ready!
I agree with Amora - it's what you make of it. I would love to see pole dancing in 2016. There is such beauty, grace and athleticism involved and not everyone can do it. I see single competitors as well as choreographed group categories - almost like synchronized swimming :-). I don't think it's far off. There is a reason the market for pole studios, home parties and private lessons has skyrocketed. I think it'll be welcomed, not to mention the ratings would probably go through the roof!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with both of you. Im a competitive pole dancer and i train just as hard as any other athlete out there. If it were to become part of the Olympics it would be something new and exciting for everyone to see, more people would be recognized for their talent and passion to succeed in a sport. More than that it would definitely be the talk of the world.
ReplyDeleteI believe pole has a chance. I also don't believe our sport is ready as it stands. We have no full structure for competitions no connection between state competitions and country wide competitions and international competition. It's not structured like other dance sports are. I was a gymnastics competitor for many years. You go to states comp, them you UBS to.go.to regionals then nationals then you still might not make the US team. We will make it one day but I feel we still have far to go. The stigma is still there and to take out placein the next olympics the international community will have to all work together to build a better bond with each other.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone's comments so far, it is an amazing sport which requires all the training any other sport needs as well as giving a interesting twist on gymnastics. It requires flexibility, significant strength and endurance as well as giving people more confidence as a new form of exercise so why not be in the Olympics? If it was part of the Olympics the stigma may be removed or minimized as more people will see it as a sport.
ReplyDeleteWe can only wait and see, lets hope for the best. Fingers crossed its soon.
I wrote an article on my reasons for not supporting pole dancing in becoming an Olympic sport if anyone is interested. I'll appreciate your comments! Always good to have a debate. http://wp.me/p1G534-I
ReplyDeleteI hope it never gets through. I'm not sure why pole dancers feel the need to be acknowledged in the olympics. To me it is a creative art (that happens to require physical prowess) not a sport. I don't want it to become regimented by the rules and regulations that would need to be developed in order for it to be judged at the olympics. Nobody denies that circus performers are amazing at what they do and we don't find them seeking validation through admission to the olympics.
ReplyDeleteThis NEEDS to happen. What's the difference between gymnastics and pole? The position of the bar! The sleazy stigma associated with pole dancing needs to be eradicated, I think the best way of doing this is to make it a recognised olympic sport!
ReplyDeleteAlso a side note - so far my favorite blog post :)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you guys. It's time for pole to be appreciated as a sport not just by enthusiasts like us but by everyone else. POLE FOR THE OLYMPICS!
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