Pole dancing in the Olympics

Veena started this discussion · 12/18/2008

There has been a lot of talk recently about trying to get pole dance into the Olympic games. What do you think? Will it ever happen, should it happen, and where do you think it would fit in? My guess would be I will happen sometime... but not any time soon (unfortunately, cuz I always wanted to be in the Olympics as a little girl) 😂 I think It should be recognized as a sport (we all have the bruises to prove it). I think it could possibly fit into the gymnastics area...kind of like rhythmic dance (the dancing with the ribbons a such)

94 replies

glitterhips · 12/19/2008
I totally agree it should be an Olympic sport. First of all I don't think a lot of people realize how much strength it takes to be a talented pole dancer, and I think if it was in the Olympics hopefully people wouldn't be so weird about it and it would be seen as more of a skilled sport than something so taboo as it is now. Just today I was thinking about how it's so similar to figure skating because of the body momentum you need to spin in both skating and pole dancing. I don't care what category it gets put in, I just hope it gets there one day.
Sparklie · 12/19/2008
They are talking about it being considered vertical gymnastics. I'm hoping that it will get in. I would be interested to see the very talented women that are out there get a little bit of recognition for the blood, sweat, and tears. However, there are those who think pole dancing consists of grinding ageist a pole and joke that the next olympic sport should be sex and what not... I find those people to be narrow minded and making rash decisions without proper knowledge. As far as I know there are over 500 signatures to get pole dancing in the 2012 London Olympics. Ultimately it is up to the olympic comity... The let BMX Biking in as an olympic sport so I think we stand a good chance. 😀
azriel · 12/20/2008
I would think that before pole dance/vertical gymnastics could be approved for the Olympics, it would have to be presented in a more organized manner- for example- like having official names for all the moves so that judging/rating could be fair and objectively performed. Also, the different spins, holds, inverts, and moves would have to be more clearly defined (of course, there will still be room for creativity). If this is accomplished, I think pole fitness will be finally recognized as a legitimate art/sport and stand a greater chance of entering the Olympic Games. Let's do it! 😜
Former member · 12/29/2008
what an interesting topic!! i just loved reading everyones thoughts on this. i agree about the proper names and clearly defined routines and moves...i was just watching this youtube clip the other day, "winner of miss pole dance australia 2006"...it's absolutely MINDBLOWING the strength and grace this woman has- every time i watch it i'm just in awe. i bet people would have more respect for the sport if/when This kind of stuff is done in the olympics. 🙂 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6KnUW9N3Zo&feature=related
Sparklie · 12/29/2008
Felix had been dancing for eight months when she won Miss Australia 2006 and she won 2008 as well. She is amazing and has a wonderful sense of humor too.
Former member · 12/30/2008
EIGHT MONTHS!?!?!?!? good god, that's incredible!!! did she do any other sports or gymnastics or anything like that??? im so envious of her strengh and flexibility!!!! congrats to her, she definitely deserves both wins 🥂
Sparklie · 12/30/2008
Ballet from the age of 4 to 16, i think.... I would have to ask her again on that one... but I agree..
LittleMissLola · 1/2/2009
We are a looooooooong way from the Olympics. To even be considered as an Olympic sport we need a national/international governing body. We'd also need standardization as azriel said earlier in terms of moves, judging etc. However, I think the diversity of pole is one of it's most apppealing factors and standardization could completely change that to pole's detriment. Think about gymnastics and how much that has changed over the years, floor routines used to involve beautiful dance work with spectacular tumbles, now it involves some odd arm waving while getting to the corner for your next tumble. So I personally don't want pole to become an Olympic sport (sorry, dont hurt me, hehe) because the whole spirit of the dance could be lost. On another forum it was mentioned that pole may suit something like the X Games a little more.
Poledancefan · 1/5/2009
Yes, I know Alena has expressed mixed feelings about the possibility of pole as an Olympic sport. That may have something to do with the standardization of governance, judging, and moves. There are a number of competing organizations and I wonder if they could all get together and form a single approach to the sport...or if that is even a good thing. I did sign the petition--partly as a matter of respect. I just think pole deserves more exposure--even if the Olympics is not the final destination. I have to admit there is something a little fun about the anarchy in pole dancing. All of the styles and individualism makes it the Golden Age of the dance/sport/hobby! And I am not the least bit uncomfortable with the exotic/erotic aspect of pole dance. Many of the You-Tube polers are shamelesly erotic, sensual, and sexual in their style of dance and I think that is just fine. I would hate to see that aspect of pole dancing go away (and it probably wouldn't!) But it would also be nice to have a venue for a straightforwardly athletic exhibition of gymnastic ability. I spend a lot of time galumpfing around the pole and falling on my butt--nothing erotic about that and I think there should be a place for that, too! And Olympic or some other quote/ unquote "legitimate" sport broadcasting would make many people who feel insecure about taking up pole feel more comfortable about it. Joel
Veena · 1/5/2009
You know LittleMissLola you have a very good point. I would hate to loose the dance aspect of pole and if it were an Olympic sport the sensual side would surely be gone. I never really thought of that. I do kinda like the fact that its a bit taboo 😈 .... I have always like being a bit of a rebel but...on the other hand I don't want my children growing up and thinking am a crazy sex freak either! 😲 I'm not too familiar with the X games so maybe that would be a better fit? All I know is pole dancing is TOUGH and we polers should get credit for that!!! 👍 I guess I'll have to think about the whole Olympic thing some more..but at this point I don't think we need to worry too much we're not even close to being an organized sport.
LittleMissLola · 1/7/2009
Hehe, so true. I love the fact it's a little bit naughty *hugs pvc boots*
Andy · 3/16/2009
Just the other day I stumbled upon a website with a petition to make pole dancing an official sport in the 2012 Olympics. http://www.verticaldance.com/poledancingintheolympics.htm
DeaconJungleCatPoles · 3/16/2009
LOL Andy you beat me too it!! I was just reading through all the posts to catch up seeing as to how I've only been registered on this site about a week now. I was gonna post the link to the petitition for you gals. I signed it a while back. Great minds think alike! 👍 Jungle Cat 🐱
Sapphirecatzeye · 2/24/2010
Has everyone already seen this link? http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2010/02/23/2010-02-23_pole_dancing_could_be_recognized_as_a_sport_and_headed_to_the_olympics_.html opinions...? 😀 🙂 😉
Charley · 2/24/2010
On another forum it was mentioned that pole may suit something like the X Games a little more. Hey that was ME!!! YAY! LOL! I am only FOR the Olympics because I think conservatives would back off but onthe whole I don't want to see it become standardized and something taken from our hands made so far out of our reach. None of us would be able to perform or compete - that's kind of harsh to US if you ask me. I like the idea of adding pole to something like the X games because pole can stay as diversified as it is and still be appreciated by a mainstream audience thus gaining it's own recognition for all it's aspects. My 2 cents.
Charley · 2/24/2010
ALSO..... From the stand point of teaching this to women (haven't had the pleasure of training poledancefan yet!) part of the reason we like it is because it's a little naughty. It's fun and yes athletic...but it's sexy and makes us feel sexy (over time) Many of us say we want the tricks but after we get a few, how many of us want to dance better to make those tricks look better? Everyday we as women are told to buy this product or that product to look or feel our best. Well, let's face it - we all want to look great, be in shape and we do everything we can to LOOK sexy and beautiful but how many of us FEEL sexy and beautiful. Doesn't pole dance makes us feel graceful, fluid and beautiful over the time that we out into it? I'd hate to see some of the beauty, not just sexiness, but beauty go away. It already seems like no one wants to watch basics anymore and it's already leaning towards all power moves.
anngiern · 2/25/2010
here is another story on msn about pole dancing and the olympics. one of my friends forwarded to me today. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/35537139#35537139 sedusa studio is hot! i hope to take a lesson there someday as well when i get to cali again.
anngiern · 2/25/2010
ALSO..... I'd hate to see some of the beauty, not just sexiness, but beauty go away. It already seems like no one wants to watch basics anymore and it's already leaning towards all power moves. charley....well i for one love watching the basics. even though i love the high power moves and looking forward to the uspdf and workshops, i love seeing a simple pole dance with creative tranisitions, musicality (something pole dancing is extremely lacking) costumes, power of eye contact, interaction with audience, and theatrics. to me its all about the energy and self confidence that someone can put out there and that makes it a powerful dance. ive seen many pole performances with super hard tricks but they were boring as hell. i have seen some very basic pole dances that were so full of energy and much more entertaining. i do enjoy watching Marlo from NYC...she does the hard stuff but her energy is amazing. and i love how she mixes her music to show she can do a little of everything from rock to hip hop to a booty pop. 🤸 the winner of polesque 2010 that was held in NYC was awesome. she did do some hard tricks but she also had a good overall performance incorporating everything that makes a dance. plus her booty pop during the final four challenge was the bomb! she had so much personality and was an audience pleaser.
ottersocks · 2/25/2010
here is another story on msn about pole dancing and the olympics. one of my friends forwarded to me today. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/35537139#35537139 sedusa studio is hot! i hope to take a lesson there someday as well when i get to cali again. Yes, the sedusa ladies are very hot. If you want to learn how to feel yourself up like a champion, that's the place for you. If however you get to Cali and want to learn how to do some *real challenging pole moves* and how to combine them with fabulous dancing, come visit Fleur and me at Poletential. 😉 🥂
Veena · 2/25/2010
There's a little person named Veena who lives in CA too. 😂 😂 😂 😂 I could maybe show someone a trick or two..... I always tell people there are 3 categories of pole dance.. Atheletic Artistic Exotic All POLE DANCE but different forms
ottersocks · 2/25/2010
There's a little person named Veena who lives in CA too. 😂 😂 😂 😂 I could maybe show someone a trick or two..... HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! 😂 Excellent point!! God knows you've shown me a dozen or two, at least! xoxo
anngiern · 2/25/2010
you ladies are funny!!! yes i am taking 2 of ambers workshops in NYC for USPDF along with 7 of my instructors and we are super excited. the girls voted on who they wanted to take workshops with back in December and Amber won hands down! i so want to take a pole dance sabbatical and just travel to all the studios in the US. but you california girls are lucky!!! you have so many studios to pick from. i hope to get out there before the end of the year is up. i want to take classes from everyone 🙂 pole dancing is fierce out on the west coast. but i will definitely make a stop by your studio ottersocks! i lived in san fran for 7 months as a travel nurse and loved it out there.
ottersocks · 2/25/2010
Oh, Anngie, that's so awesome! You and your girls are going to have such an amazing experience with Amber. I'm so blessed to be able to learn from her every day. Can't wait to meet you in NY! Ellen
SissyBuns · 2/25/2010
They were talking about this on the radio this morning. I heard it on my way in to work and I had to call in LOL. They were asking people to call in and give their opinion on whether or not they think it should be in the olympics and people were calling and saying "No" of course. They were saying the olympics is a family program and kids watch it and they don't want their kids seeing and stuff like that. So I called to let them know that what they have in mind when they hear pole dance is not what they would see in the olympics. I told them it would be the more athletic side of pole dance. I told them to youtube some people like jenyne and felix to see what Champion pole dancers do. No ass popping and booty shaking there. The olympics would never allow that kind of stuff. Like I've said before....if pole dance did make it into the olympics (in my opinion) the name would be changed to pole sport or pole fitness. The dancers would be now be called competitors or gymnasts. They would wear little shorts (like the volley ball players wear) and sports bras (complete with sponsors logos LOL), bare feet and basically do gymnastics on a vertical bar. All of the flair of the club will be taken out of it (because you can't put a number on sassyness) LOL. I think the pole world would split off into 2 different directions and there may not be anything wrong with that. There are lot's of polers that don't dance. They just focus on tricks and stunts and they would be able to compete in "Pole sport" type competitions and those artistic dancier dancers would still be able to compete in "Pole dance" competitions. And then get a job working on Pole dancing with the stars 😎
minicoopergrl · 2/25/2010
Im not 100% sure how I feel about it. On one hand, I would love for my passion to be reconized as a sport. We all know its hard work and dedication to do what we do. But then again, I feel like women like me who can dance like crazy but cant perform wild and crazy tricks will never have a chance to win a competition. Like alof of us have said, that if they broke us down in different catagories then I think things would be different. Like Sissy said, alot of the sexiness would be removed. The music would be clean, the outfits would be mild etc.

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