Pole Dancing in the Olympics?

[Standing Wolf]

Pole dancing: Could it one day become an Olympic sport?


Could pole dancing become an Olympics sport? It's not as far-fetched as you might think...

That's because pole dancing - or pole, as the International Pole Sports Federation (IPSF) prefers - has been recognised by an international sporting body for the first time.

It has been given "observer status" by the Global Association of International Sports Federation (GAISF) - meaning it is provisionally recognised as a sport.

That is largely the result of a campaign by Katie Coates, a 41-year-old from Hertfordshire, who founded the IPSF and told the Daily Telegraph: "I feel like we have achieved the impossible, everyone told us that we would not be able to get pole dancing recognised as a sport."

The IPSF emphasises that pole dancing is about "athleticism and technical merit", in line with "other Olympic standard sports such as gymnastics, diving and ice skating".

So even though it may be closely associated with strip clubs, a performance does not have to contain an erotic element.

However, there is a big debate within pole dancing about how much it should be separated from its origins.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/41652997

[Abby08]

The Olympics were downgraded a long time ago, when beach volleyball and curling, became Olympic events...... can't forget, waving a ribbon around on a stick

[Adelaide]

It really requires a lot of strength, stamina, and flexibility. Some of the really great dancers are amazing... if artistic gymnastics and synchronized swimming are Olympic sports, I don't really see a difference.

[Abby08]

Pole dancing: Could it one day become an Olympic sport?


Could pole dancing become an Olympics sport? It's not as far-fetched as you might think...

That's because pole dancing - or pole, as the International Pole Sports Federation (IPSF) prefers - has been recognised by an international sporting body for the first time.

It has been given "observer status" by the Global Association of International Sports Federation (GAISF) - meaning it is provisionally recognised as a sport.

That is largely the result of a campaign by Katie Coates, a 41-year-old from Hertfordshire, who founded the IPSF and told the Daily Telegraph: "I feel like we have achieved the impossible, everyone told us that we would not be able to get pole dancing recognised as a sport."

The IPSF emphasises that pole dancing is about "athleticism and technical merit", in line with "other Olympic standard sports such as gymnastics, diving and ice skating".

So even though it may be closely associated with strip clubs, a performance does not have to contain an erotic element.

However, there is a big debate within pole dancing about how much it should be separated from its origins.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/41652997

Do the participants have to do it half naked, like in the strip clubs?

[Perianne]

Look at the men watching this young boy pole dance.

[Doublejack]

That's pretty cool. Those competitions are well into the 'high end athlete' level rather than some bimbo kissing a pole at a strip club.

[Standing Wolf]

Do the participants have to do it half naked, like in the strip clubs?

Ever watch the beach volleyball competition?

[Doublejack]

The Olympics were downgraded a long time ago, when beach volleyball and curling, became Olympic events...... can't forget, waving a ribbon around on a stick

lol I love the stick ribbon dancers .. beautiful and elegant.. love it

[resister]

The Olympics were downgraded a long time ago, when beach volleyball and curling, became Olympic events...... can't forget, waving a ribbon around on a stick

I like the hammer throw, a 16 pound cannon ball attached to a 4ft sling, by the time they release it, they are spinning on the balls of their feet at 3 revolutions per second. The record distance is 100 ft (or possibly yards)

Interestingly it has military roots, something to do with a Scottish king disarming the peasents.

[Abby08]

lol I love the stick ribbon dancers .. beautiful and elegant.. love it

That may be, but, an Olympic event?