Our Community Speaks: Pole Dancing in the Olympics pt2
In an effort to understand both sides of the Pol’ympics Debate, I decided to compile a list of the related articles that were written by people WITHIN our pole dancing community. I ignored all articles outside our community, whether they were pro or con Pole Dancing in the Olympics, simply because the majority of them were either general news, studio promotion articles, or derogatory to pole dancing in any form.
What I found is rather surprising. Although many people feel strongly about this topic, there are very few people who are speaking about it publicly. Most articles for Pole Dancing in the Olympics were created either within one of the pole dancing federations or by a journalist who had read the petition. What I have NOT found is instructors and performers giving THEIR passionate reasons for promoting pole dancing in the Olympics. This obviously concerns me.
I feel VERY strongly about this art form. I feel VERY strongly about how it is portrayed in the media. I know I’m not alone in these feelings of passion and concern (as evidenced by the reported 4000 petition signatures). I certainly see other Pole Leaders speaking publicly about why they DON’T want Pole Dancing in the Olympics. But, why can’t I find the impassioned blogs of those who DO want Pole Dancing in the Olympics?
Yes, I see the petitions … Yes, I see the politically correct documents… Yes, I see the press releases. I want to understand your opinion, but more importantly, I want to hear it without the legal mumbo jumbo and PR material. How can the Pole Associations expect to develop or standardize the pole dancing industry if they aren’t speaking to US, the pole dancers? More importantly, how will society (& the Olympic committee) respond to a petition when there is little to no PUBLIC discussion within our community?
Forget about the Olympics for a minute. Many pole dancing associations are hoping to standardize pole trick names and develop pole safety regulations. But how are you going to explain your reasons for defining one trick as a fireman spin instead of a skater spin? How are you going to convince me to use a 4 inch thick pole mat instead of the aerial & gymnastic standard 6 inch thick mat?
How are these Pole Leaders going to communicate and discuss their platform or their opinions to the pole dancing community? I WANT to know the awesome ideas you have for developing, changing, maybe even revolutionizing The Art of Pole Dancing. And I want to have a healthy, open debate about it.
So, whether you are For Pole Dancing in the Olympics, Against Pole Dancing in the Olympics, or On The Fence… if you send me a link to your blog with your Pol’ympic opinion (not an article written by a journalist please) then I’ll post it here.
I applaud those pole leaders who have posted their opinion no matter which side of the debate they are on. My goal with this article is to encourage this discussion in an effort to build a platform of open communication… because Pole & Exotic Dance is a very young industry (compared to gymnastics, aerial, ballet, bellydance, etc.) and we’ve got a LOT to talk about. We’re all listening….
For Pole Dancing in the Olympics
- KT Coates – Pole Dancing in the Olympics
- Pole in the Olympics Teaser video – Pole in The Olympics
- Pole Fitness Association - Olympic Effort
- Interview of Collette Kakuk – Pole Dancing Will Need a Makeover for the Olympics
- Kylea Killeen – Pole Dancing in the Olympics
Against Pole Dancing in the Olympics
- Jamilla Deville – Polympics
- Adam Jay – Pole Dancing in the Olympics
- Bubble & Facebook group manifesto – Pole Dancers who DON’T want Pole to be in the Olympics
- and my own article – No, I won’t sign your Pol’ympics Petition
- Kristen (Dolphin Dance) – Pole “Dance” in the Olympics
On The Fence
- Claire Griffin Sterrett – Olympic Size Debate
- PoleSkivvies – Pole Dancing in the Olympics
- Polespection by Journey – Olympics???
- Lori Meyers – Weighing in on the Debate
- Climb & Spin – Pole Dancing In the Olympics? Yay or Nay?
BTW, if you want to see some of the non-pole blogs I didn’t include because they were derogatory check out this link. I caution you that many of these bloggers don’t understand our industry or our art form AT ALL. But I’m including the link to be complete.
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March 2nd, 2010 at 12:12 am
http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2010/03/weighing-in-on-debate-pole-dancing-in.html
I guess I’m a waffler…on the fence?
Lori Myers´s last blog ..THIS IS NOT BRAIN SURGERY
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:41 pm
My gut reaction is this: no, pole dancing doesn’t belong in the Olympics. It doesn’t need to be a “legitimate” sport. Just like other types of dancing, it is athletic. Period. I think that the current pole dance competitions honor all sides of pole dance: sensual and athletic. Both pieces should be present in this type of dance. Maybe the inclusion of pole dancing in the Olympics would suck all of the sensuality out of it. And not in a good way! It’s not all about the tricks, people. It is a sensual, physical expression of dance. Leave it out of the Olympics and keep it sexy….as goddess intended!
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Thanks for chiming in on this discussion Kiki! And I agree that the pole competitions are a great way to honor all sides of pole dance as long as we maintain that spirit.
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Hey Yannori
It was me who made the Facebook group!
I’ve read some interesting comments today from KT Coates. I can email them to you if you like?
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Hi Bubble. Sorry for the mix-up. I fixed the article & linked to your site. Yes, please send me the links to KT Coates’ comments. Just use the “Ask Yannori” link above or add the link here.
Thanks!
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Although I fight everyday to have our sport accepted as an athletic performing art, I no longer believe that Pole belongs in the Olympics. We have many opportunities to compete right now, win recognition and be both sensual and artistic. I would hate to have my artistry taken away from me and strongly believe that Pole is more than tricks. Then we might as well call it vertical gymnastics. I’m also afraid that bringing it to the Olympics would eliminate the empowerment that Pole brings to women. Only certain body types and certain weights would be accepted. I only hope this discussion makes mainstream society aware of our art and we receive more acceptance from everyone!
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Awesome insight Noelle. It would be a great shame to lose the sensual & beautiful nature of this movement. I hope the PFA & other Pol’ympic supporters can develop a clear distinction of “Pole Sport/Gymnastics” in the media.
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:26 pm
The more I think about it, the less I believe this is about “legitimizing” pole – and the more I think it stems from wanting to separate out the good girls from their whore-y sisters.
Even the concept of “legitimizing” is weird. Does anyone have to make tango legit?
I also find the usual dichotomy in this debate: if they want it to be so legitimate, how come they still keep teaching lap and strip and wearing those platform heels? Which comes back to the whole virgin/whore divide again. When will we be allowed to be good AND sexual?
Just my two cents …
March 4th, 2010 at 11:03 am
[...] read more opinions on this topic go to: http://www.expressthesensual.com/2010/03/01/our-community-speaks-pole-dancing-in-the-olympics-pt2/ Filed under: Dancing, Industry News Comment [...]
March 4th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
First of all, I’m happy to see that in our industry we have free-thinkers and that we are able to raise discussion together like this.
I’m happier still to see that we are also an industry of free choosers, and not a bunch of sheep ready to be told what we must and must not do, without thinking it through ourselves first.
I’ve read some of the most sensible and honest comments here and find the most reason (and spirit!) in them. Pole dancing for many of us, both fitness and dance/art styles, is about empowerment. Physical empowerment, and the confidence and self-esteem that goes along with that. I don’t think anyone can deny that! Well, what is empowerment all about if not validating onesSELF, recognising onesSELF, and knowing that there’s nothing to prove, no one to impress, to be anything more (or any more “legitimate”) than we already ARE.
NEXT – it saddens me that we are having the notion of pole dancing being a sport pushed at us like this. Not everyone sees it or uses it in that way, but we are apparently supposed to be convinced that because some of us do, the rest of us should follow?
Each to their own. For myself, I love beauty in life and I don’t find much beauty in the way that this is being pushed on the community.
We won’t make it to the Olympics, the leaders of the pro-discussion have made that clear. They’ve freely admittd it. They are just vying for publicity, they agree. Meanwhile they are creating a certain public perception of pole dancing. As we’ve seen, a lot of it involves ever more ridicule.
We ARE legitimate. We ARE powerful. We are already wonderful just as we are! And some of us don’t WANT to be lumped in the sports category! We are artists. The Olympics is only one direction that we could head towards (and not a likely goal in our careers, or perhaps even our childrens’, you can be sure). Is it really the “ultimate” or the best direction to head ourselves in? There are many who beg to differ. Is pole dancing really a sport, a race between competitors, simply a collection of tricks to be scored by Olympic judges? We are free to say yes to this, but there seem to be an incredible number who DON’T see it this way at all. Perhaps there are other goals we can choose, other directions, which will uphold ALL of the values in pole dancing. There’s definitely space for more discussion there!
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:14 am
I think it would be amazing to see a very femenine sport in the Olympics. However I’m afraid it will loose the sexuality, which is really why I started. I feel if it goes into the Olympics it will be stripped of the sensuality – which would be awful. Thing is, in the Olympics the things men do are hot (boxing – two men shirtless, hot bodies, fighting each other and pouring with sweat, come on!) and I would love to see a sexy woman sport, that would be fantastic. I think it would make people take us more seriously but again the sexuality is a big part of it and I feel without it, it wouldn’t be the same. If it can get in and we can get through the ctiticism of how hot we look it would be a miracle! So I still think, support!
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:35 am
That’s an awesome point Sasha! I totally agree that it is a double standard in our society that men can do sexy things in the open, but woman have to hide their sexuality behind closed doors and dark corners.
I’m still not sure I’d like to see it in the Olympics, simply because I prefer the sensual performance aspect more that the competitive aspect of pole. But thanks for sharing your opinion!