Pole dancing in the Olympics
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Dayanara ·
I don't feel we pole dancing needs to be in the olympics, I do think it needs to be an organized sport, but as it is, why change it to gain acceptance? Pole dancing weeds out the weak, mentally and physycally, polers are women with strong personalities who stand up for their passion no matter what others say or think about it, we have poles in the middle of our living room for f's sake, if Pole is even in the olympics it would be just another apparatus in a gymnastics routine, like others already said, it would be 16 year old gymnasts competing, flipping on a vertical bar, there will be no dancing,I think a lot of polers are under the impression that our pole dancers would be competing, I do not believe that's the case, already made gymnasts would be training on pole and that'd be it, it would be unaccessible for all of us, one of the things that is so awesome about pole dancing is that women of all ages, all sizes all shapes, who get hooked on poling and are really serious about can and do get incredibly strong and take stages by storm all over the world, they are stars. I dont think being in the olympics would gain us acceptance either, well....only if you train barefeet and in a sports bra, I am pretty we, polers in 7inch heels and small bikinis will still be looked down on, there will be the "Pole athletes/gymnasts" and those other "dirty whores" who refuse to take off those stripper heels. hahahahahaha. that's how I see it anyway.
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. It's already that way though Mini. You'll never get into the big competitions (Like USPDF or the international comps) without tricks. Never. Dancing usually doesn't have anything to do with it. Some would argue that the pros even dance, like at all. LOL
RoxyPink ·
I don't feel we pole dancing needs to be in the olympics, I do think it needs to be an organized sport, but as it is, why change it to gain acceptance? Pole dancing weeds out the weak, mentally and physycally, polers are women with strong personalities who stand up for their passion no matter what others say or think about it, we have poles in the middle of our living room for f's sake, if Pole is even in the olympics it would be just another apparatus in a gymnastics routine, like others already said, it would be 16 year old gymnasts competing, flipping on a vertical bar, there will be no dancing,I think a lot of polers are under the impression that our pole dancers would be competing, I do not believe that's the case, already made gymnasts would be training on pole and that'd be it, it would be unaccessible for all of us, one of the things that is so awesome about pole dancing is that women of all ages, all sizes all shapes, who get hooked on poling and are really serious about can and do get incredibly strong and take stages by storm all over the world, they are stars. I dont think being in the olympics would gain us acceptance either, well....only if you train barefeet and in a sports bra, I am pretty we, polers in 7inch heels and small bikinis will still be looked down on, there will be the "Pole athletes/gymnasts" and those other "dirty whores" who refuse to take off those stripper heels. hahahahahaha. that's how I see it anyway. I completely agree... I posted something similar to this in a previous thread. 😀 Besides...Ballet is very artistic and very physically demanding but you don't see them petitioning to get into the olympics. I think it would completely change the ambiance of it. We all agree that pole is athletic and that it is a form of self expression (artistic) but how is it any different from any other form of dance...which btw are not olympic sports? If anything...pole dance would probably be the last form of dance to be accepted into the olympics just because of the stigmata behind it. I think we as a pole community should take baby steps in getting the recognition and acceptance...like in our own homes and neighborhoods then shoot for our cities and states and the country...i 😀
I don't feel we pole dancing needs to be in the olympics, I do think it needs to be an organized sport, but as it is, why change it to gain acceptance? Pole dancing weeds out the weak, mentally and physycally, polers are women with strong personalities who stand up for their passion no matter what others say or think about it, we have poles in the middle of our living room for f's sake, if Pole is even in the olympics it would be just another apparatus in a gymnastics routine, like others already said, it would be 16 year old gymnasts competing, flipping on a vertical bar, there will be no dancing,I think a lot of polers are under the impression that our pole dancers would be competing, I do not believe that's the case, already made gymnasts would be training on pole and that'd be it, it would be unaccessible for all of us, one of the things that is so awesome about pole dancing is that women of all ages, all sizes all shapes, who get hooked on poling and are really serious about can and do get incredibly strong and take stages by storm all over the world, they are stars. I dont think being in the olympics would gain us acceptance either, well....only if you train barefeet and in a sports bra, I am pretty we, polers in 7inch heels and small bikinis will still be looked down on, there will be the "Pole athletes/gymnasts" and those other "dirty whores" who refuse to take off those stripper heels. hahahahahaha. that's how I see it anyway. Well then I'll just continue to be a dirty whore! LOL I'll still cheer for and watch the "stiffs" compete in the olympics...and try to think of cools ways to incorporate their awesome stunts into my 'dance' routines. LOL 😀
Dayanara ·
LOL, @Sissy! you KNOW I'm all full of dirty whorism!!!. hahahaha.
luvlee ·
I think there have been some good points made. 🙂 I just want to put mine in too. I saw a pole studio in an article yesterday that had a few pole dancers training to be in the olympics if it were to make it. Also, I am pretty sure KT Coates would be in it. They dropped a few other popular pole dancer's names as well. All pole dancers so far! I do think gymnists would also be interested. Pole dancing can be made for the olympics and it can be done sexy. It is whatever you personally make it. I think it would be great to see it in the olympics. Probably no high heels, though. You never know! I will never give my shoes up! I mean. figure skating is getting pretty sexy these days so I don't think the sexiness would have to be totally lost anyway for the olympics. 🤸 I can't wait to see if it makes it and have already signed the petition! Yaaay! 🥂
anngiern ·
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. It's already that way though Mini. You'll never get into the big competitions (Like USPDF or the international comps) without tricks. Never. Dancing usually doesn't have anything to do with it. Some would argue that the pros even dance, like at all. LOL there might be hope....i made a proposal to USPDF about having a category for the more dancey girls (similiar to xpose fitness where they have a floor/chair and pole dance with no inverts category) and a dance studio/group category as well. they said they are giving some thought to this!!! so there still might be hope. i am really trying to push behind this b/c there are so many good dancers out there. but even brook notary who had judged comps say pole dancing is lacking transitions, musicality, and things of that nature. here is her workshop description from USPDF: "It’s been an honor to judge the USPDF competitions for the past year. I’m in awe of the talent.Yet, I believe the area of transitions deserve more attention. In this class, pole dancers will focus on how to create strong transitions on and off the pole, and how to seamlessly create a beginning, middle and end without losing consistency. With choreographic guidance, floor work exercises, and pole to pole transition exercises, I’d like you to leave my class with a better understanding on how to perform a full-rounded routine." so just keep sending in those emails to them to push for a category like this. i think its only a matter of time! i am keeping my fingers crossed 👍
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. It's already that way though Mini. You'll never get into the big competitions (Like USPDF or the international comps) without tricks. Never. Dancing usually doesn't have anything to do with it. Some would argue that the pros even dance, like at all. LOL there might be hope....i made a proposal to USPDF about having a category for the more dancey girls (similiar to xpose fitness where they have a floor/chair and pole dance with no inverts category) and a dance studio/group category as well. they said they are giving some thought to this!!! so there still might be hope. i am really trying to push behind this b/c there are so many good dancers out there. but even brook notary who had judged comps say pole dancing is lacking transitions, musicality, and things of that nature. here is her workshop description from USPDF: "It’s been an honor to judge the USPDF competitions for the past year. I’m in awe of the talent.Yet, I believe the area of transitions deserve more attention. In this class, pole dancers will focus on how to create strong transitions on and off the pole, and how to seamlessly create a beginning, middle and end without losing consistency. With choreographic guidance, floor work exercises, and pole to pole transition exercises, I’d like you to leave my class with a better understanding on how to perform a full-rounded routine." so just keep sending in those emails to them to push for a category like this. i think its only a matter of time! i am keeping my fingers crossed 👍 That would be so cool. I'd so submit for something like that.....*dreams*
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. ... 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. 🤸 . Marlo ROCKS!!!! she meshes it all together so well!
luvlee ·
Sissy found this and put it on her Face Book! I loved it and posted it as well! Thought you all might LOVE to see it!!!!!! 🥂 🥂 🥂 🥂 🥂 🥂 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S857HBQ0nVY
there might be hope....i made a proposal to USPDF about having a category for the more dancey girls (similiar to xpose fitness where they have a floor/chair and pole dance with no inverts category) and a dance studio/group category as well. they said they are giving some thought to this!!! so there still might be hope. i am really trying to push behind this b/c there are so many good dancers out there. but even brook notary who had judged comps say pole dancing is lacking transitions, musicality, and things of that nature. here is her workshop description from USPDF: "It’s been an honor to judge the USPDF competitions for the past year. I’m in awe of the talent.Yet, I believe the area of transitions deserve more attention. In this class, pole dancers will focus on how to create strong transitions on and off the pole, and how to seamlessly create a beginning, middle and end without losing consistency. With choreographic guidance, floor work exercises, and pole to pole transition exercises, I’d like you to leave my class with a better understanding on how to perform a full-rounded routine." so just keep sending in those emails to them to push for a category like this. i think its only a matter of time! i am keeping my fingers crossed 👍 I just switched to Brook's workshop because of this, anngiern! I think this would make my choreography so much better! I signed up for the last spot in the workshop, I'm so excited. 😀
Here's an interesting blog entry from Yannori (from Express the Sensual) called "No, I Won't Sign Your Pol'ympics Petition" (I laughed when I read the title) http://www.expressthesensual.com/2010/02/26/no-i-wont-sign-your-polympics-petition/#comments
I whole heartedly agree with Yannori's blog post. I do not need the Olympics to accept pole dancing to justify it as a sport for me. I know how much time, hard work and dedication it takes to get to a certain advanced level with pole, and I don't need the Olympic committee to tell me whether or not it's a sport. We as a community know how hard it is to do the things we do - all of the blood, sweat, tears and bruises - so why do we need to legitimize it as a sport? I think there are enough competitions for pole dancing (more and more popping up every day) and that's enough for me. I think gymnasts would take over pole dancing in the Olympics and it would be more like Chinese pole and Vertical Gymnastics than pole dancing. Let's not rip this art from it's original roots and forget that DANCING is a part of it all.....
always tell people there are 3 categories of pole dance.. Atheletic Artistic Exotic All POLE DANCE but different forms Perfect, Veena ! That pretty much sums it up !!!!!
News, ladies! Not exactly pole dancing as a sport IN the Olympics, but Bobbi's is choreographing part of the opening ceremony for the Youth Olympics! I just ignored all the other closed minded bologne. http://www.smh.com.au/national/its-a-sexport-success-story-20100306-ppnn.html
Foxy_Rei ·
I saw someone put up a link to Yannori's blog, but she put up a Part 2 - she also included links to other blogs that had opinions on the topic: http://www.expressthesensual.com/2010/03/01/our-community-speaks-pole-dancing-in-the-olympics-pt2/ Just in case anyone wanted to check it out... 😉
If curling is an olympic sport, pole dancing could most DEFINITELY be an olympic sport.
sabian ·
I dont think it should make it. I have been reading alot on this subject...and each side has its value. I personally do not want it to happen. Leave pole be. Let it be a dance....a dance that is ACCEPTED for what it is first, instead of trying to change it to legitimize it. People where I am still look at me like I have a disease when I say I pole dance...I live just outside of the 3rd largest city in Canada...and they still react that way. Would ber nice to see pole dance gain recognition, and be accepted...but is this really the way to go about it? If anything...this will present more problems and damage to the work that the founders of "public" pole have worked so hard for! And yes...there are founders!
Actually many of the founders of pole dancing are the ones who are working to get pole into the Olympics! Having pole in the Olympics will not force any change on the way we enjoy and teach pole dancing. In fact it is unlikely that pole dancing will be in the Olympics but more likely pole sport or pole gymnastics. In fact pole in the Olympics will be more of a gymnastics event and not a pole event.
Any "new" News about Pole Dance in the 2012 Olympics? I tell people about this only because I take a lot for pole dancing, and open a studio in a conservative area...I know a lot of women are insecure about even trying it. Times changes- life moves forward, Pole Dance should too. I haven't heard anything lately though....
I would not like Poledancing to be in the Olympics. I agree with everyone of the above who doesn't! I think it would make things a lot more difficult for "normal people", it would become a sport for gymnasts only. Or do you know anybody who started taking classes at Rhythmic Gymnastics at the age of 45? Neither do I. I like the fact that everybody, no matter what age or size, can participate in this wonderful sport called pole dancing! And it's dancing, after all, not only inverts and those very sporty things. All this would change so much if it became a part of the Olympic Games. Don't like. Not at all. Sure, I might change the opinion of some prude and unknowing people towards "vertical gymnastics" or whatever they'd call it then - but would it change their attitude towards us, the everday normal girl wanting to work out and having fun? We'd still be looked at as sluts and strippers, not being 14 and/or extremely skinny, but working out at home, with the pole standing in our house. OMG, it's in the bedroom?? You pervert! 😲 And I completely agree with one of the ladies above who stated, that other forms of dance such as ballet don't need to be in the Olympic Games to be great and to be highly appreciated in the world. BTW, did you know that the WALTZ was actually considered to be objectionable for a very long time? Things take their time, for God's sake. Poledancing has come up as a sport only in the last 10 years or so - why hurry!
I just wanted to chime in with a few thoughts..since several people seem to be misled about WHY pole dancing is going into the Olympics. One of my very best friends, and my mentor in pole dancing, started this concept and is the VP of the Pole Sports Org. I myself am the chair of the technical committee. So I am in a position to state WHY the people who are doing this are actually doing it: We are not looking for acceptance or recognition by people who currently do not approve of pole dancing. In fact, at this point we have decided, it is not even going ot be called pole "dancing". It will be a whole new use of a vertical pole, just as Chinese pole is a different use of a vertical pole. Finally,. speed skating and figure skating are both in the Olympics and that has not changed the fact that people everywhere still lace up their skates and enjoy good old fashioned skating in rinks and on ice ponds and no one is trying to stop them. For those who are not aware of it, the Olympic bid for pole is very real and a lot of work is already under way. It will not even be close to an Olympic event in 2012 as it requires years of preliminary work and regional competitions as an organized sport but most likely by 2012 you will be hearing about those preliminary events. If you are curious, you can check out http://www.PoleSports.org
polesports.orgInternational Pole Sports Federation & The World Pole Sports ChampionshipsGoverning body of Pole Sports. Home of the International Pole Sports Federation & Competition Organization of the World Pole Sports Championships.
Sanchara ·
Other than having a....somewhat....ummm....less than modern looking? website (just my opinion as an industry professional - I really hope they didn't pay for it) I really think that our IF is doing a pretty good job and is really on the right track. There are a couple cosmetic rule changes I'd like to see so that we are more like other artistic sports. the first one is that I don't think props should be allowed in compeition -now that dosn't mean we can have a gala show at the end of the compeition like Rhythmic Gym does. like so Competition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5nRFvuyEl8 Gala: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgQcEQ4Ddrc&feature=related the other thing is just costumes/presentation. There really should be a limit on how much skin is to allowed to be exposed, and clothing should not be allowed to be removed. and serious dedictions for vulgarity. now thats not to say you can't dance however you like in your gala performance. Just not when you're in front of the judges. :) annother example from RG Comptition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt4zrF0m2aA Gala: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBgBaGsHIdg ; anyway...that's just my two cents :)
Wow, this topic has certainly exploded! I figured I would add my humble opinion, though hopefully I won't be repeating some other topics already discussed. I would prefer if Pole dancing was somewhat more regulated, but not completely. I enjoy the fact that a lot of it is all about interpretation...rather than having everything laid out, we're allowed to explore and experiment, we're allowed to dance, and thus express. If it was ALL regulated and set down, we'd all have the same moves, and we would all look pretty much the same. This is a big reason why I can't tell one gymnast from another... However, I've thought about Pole dancing in the Olympics...and, well, I don't agree with it. Since pole dancing has that sexy aspect, a lot of the moves are splay-legged and such, to remove the sexy would be to take away a huge part of it, for me. It's like trying to take away the nudity from Burlesque...it's possible, but it's also not really Burlesque, is it? And, if we kept the sexy, think about it this way...when do people start training for the olympics? At what age do our athletes start? Do you REALLY want a child working on moves like this? I sure wouldn't! Sex (and sexiness) is the privilege of the adult, so I get really weird about children engaging in some of these things. They may not know what it is the move is meant to do, and they may be innocent...but, again, would you want a kid on stage doing Burlesque? I see it kind of like cheerleading right now, where we're at. It's huge, it's getting accepted...but we're not a "sport," even if we are doing something that people can get injured doing. I think that's the first (and, perhaps only) step I would be comfortable with...recognition as a sport or style of dance. Keep it accessible.
