Please, God, let this come true: The bid to make pole dancing an Olympic sport
With the decision about where the 2016 Olympics will be held only a month away, my city (which I am wishing right now was Rio, but is not) is buzzing about whether we will be chosen to host.
I’m personally torn about whether I want the Olympics to take place in my hometown seven years from now. On one hand, I adore the Games and would love the opportunity to watch them with the skyline I love as the backdrop to track and field, fencing, gymnastics, and swimming competitions. On the other hand, the chaos and cost of the Olympics is overwhelming. The decision is not, of course, in the hands of the citizens of Chicago. However, everyone I know has tossed the pros and cons of having the Olympics here back and forth in conversation.
While we wait, I’m turning my attention to another Olympic controversy that is frankly much more fun to consider: Pole dancing.
That’s right, pole dancing. As a sport.
Watch more Videos at Vodpod.
Just when you thought Lucite heels and spandex shorties were the best uniform for hoisting yourself up on a pole, there is a growing movement of people who are petitioning to add gold, silver, and bronze metals to the get-up.
Last fall, a group of dancers, organizations, and studios joined together to petition the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board to make pole dancing — or “vertical ballet” as Collette Kakuk from OC Pole Fitness in California calls it — a recognized event in the 2012 Olympics in London.
Pole dancing should not be confused with stripping, assures Utah-based Pole Fitness studio owner Lizz Schofield.
“We are some of the safest, most skilled athletes. I liken it a lot to rock climbing,” Shofield told a CBS television affiliate station about why it should be considered an event at the Games.
At the time of press coverage last fall, the petition had 500 signatures. However, a Facebook cause page I found today calling for recognition of pole dancing as a “legitimate athletic sport” and into the 2012 Olympics has a whopping membership of 134,163 (134,164, if you count me).
There is clearly a lot of passion behind this petition. And whether that comes from the “vertical dance pioneers”, the women who have worked so hard to really work that pole or legions of men rushing fraternities, I say more power to the cause.
I mean it. I recognize that it does take a lot more than a dusting of chalk across some very intimate parts of the body to perform well on a pole. Seriously. It requires a great deal of core strength, grace, and concentration — all athletic attributes I strive for and am compelled to watch. I’ve done a bit of burlesque and it was by far, the best (and most fun) workout I’ve ever had. I can only imagine how complicated and challenging it is to do that dancing up and off the ground.
After all, if pole dancing does become an event in the next Games or the ones that could well be hosted in my hometown, that could mean my Olympic dreams have not been completely snuffed out. And at the very least, I’d have something much more interesting to flip over to when badminton’s on.
Would you sign a petition to get pole dancing into the Olympics?
Please! Take 27 seconds to leave your comment below so I can get the ten comments I need to keep updating this blog...
Related Posts
8 Comments Add yours
Allan@http://livi... (1)
catch him (1)
Debbie@Sex Toys &... (1)
Get Back Together (1)
James @ kingsize ... (1)
Nancy@ Short Scal... (1)
Twitter: http://www.vibratingpantiesguide.com
September 14, 2009
11:40 pm
I wholeheartily agree with you, Pole dancing should not be confused with stripping. It’s much more, I know many women who have learned pole dancing for their own fitness and if they can turn on their man while doing so they just consider it a bonus. The main reason the do pole dancing is for the fun of it and to keep fit.
October 29, 2009
10:11 am
I too agree that pole dancing should be a part of Olympics.Athletes should voiced together then only it would be possible.
manu@smoothfitness coupons´s last blog ..35SHPFREE
November 2, 2009
2:35 am
Thank you jesus. A stripper pole sport for the Olympics. What do I need to sign to make this official
November 5, 2009
12:23 pm
Pole dancing is a sport and a form of performing art, a combination of dancing and gymnastics. It involves dancing sensually with a vertical pole.the reason behind this is to keep yourself fit.
monika@Smooth Fitness coupons´s last blog ..AFSHIP09
November 10, 2009
10:10 pm
Though pole dancing is not being given so much privilege and has confined to the striptease clubs only. But, with the advancing time it can be introduced into the Olympics. Hope to see it very soon on Olympics.
smith@jump manual´s last blog ..CNN- 10 Tips for Getting a Pay Raise in a Recession
November 12, 2009
10:22 am
Pole dance is not only a club dance for entertainment but also it is a art to get fit. Many people have a miss conception that it is very easy but after watching your videos i can say that it is not easy, it needs lots of practice.
November 16, 2009
1:48 am
Pole dancing and stripping should not be confused. I am hopeful that getting pole dancing into the Olympics is successful. some effort will have to be made to distance the gym and the strip club but that can be done.
November 16, 2009
5:10 pm
I laugh to myself thinking about the likely gold medalist coming from a background as a stripper. I’m sure it would be a competitive event to say the least.