Check out my blog on the matter: http://thepolereview.bravelog.com/entry/52570

This is much like fitness based polers telling the sensual based polers that what they are doing is wrong or vice versa. I believe the debate is a close correlation with the political thread as well. What we hear from the two sides is “lets get pole dancing in the Olympics” or from the other side “people who want pole dancing in the Olympics are ridiculous” . Now to me the first sounds like a group of people going about their own business and the second sounds like a group of people being judgmental.

If someone wants it in the Olympics they are judged as being right or wrong. Is this really necessary? The only reason to be opposed to something is not because you think it’s “ridiculous” but because you feel it has some moral or ethical impact on the community as a whole or because you feel it is damaging to a community or person.

The main arguments I’ve heard opposed to pole in the Olympics is that it will never be accepted due to it’s roots or that it will change the way we teach and dance.

Well if the first is true then those opposed have nothing to complain about. And I don’t for one minute buy the argument that people are “laughing at us” as being a good reason for opposition. Be honest folks…people are laughing at us for what we do every day. Being and “old schooler” I know that people have always laughed at us. Many of us have not only been laughed at but attacked and repressed us with businesses shut down or prevented from opening due to social stigma. I remember a time when people would have laughed hysterically over pole dancing for charities (and did!) or even being in Cirq De Soleil!

Well none of us got into this thinking they were going to be mainstream and accepted by everyone. If it’s not the Olympic bid, trust me, they will find SOMETHING to laugh at if they don’t like pole dancing. Look at the comments on youtube or after a competition or an article in the news about any pole event or studio.

And as for changing…there is nothing that will force any of us to change how we teach or perform unless we want to be a part of the Olympic competitions ourselves. Every event in the Olympics has mainstream versions around the world which do not have to conform to Olympic policies and guidelines when they are taught in gyms, the park district, or schools.

Lets keep in mind the outcries about women being in the Olympics. The people who thought that women competing was “ridiculous” and would change the world and affect the family or mar the reputation of a woman. History is full of change and the fight for acceptance.

As for whether the bid is too soon – it’s never too soon. It has to start somewhere and the only way to grow the faction that will want to be in the Olympics is by actually getting the ball rolling. Every Olympic bid took years to accomplish…some took decades and pole will be no less. There is a lot to be done including standardization, training, and world wide competitions before it will make the Olympics so starting now when the world of pole dancing is so open to growth is a great time to do it.

I also don’t understand why people presume that if someone supports pole in the Olympics it must be because they require validation of what they do or the need to legitimize it? Again…pole politics and judgment goes both ways here. Maybe someone doesn’t “need” legitimacy but just thinks it’s going to be “fun” to see it in the Olympics.

So, it’s probably obvious that I am more of a supporter of pole in the Olympics than opposition. Pole is different things to different people – Chinese pole, fitness pole, sensual pole, athletic pole etc. Obviously no one is bidding on sensual pole dancing being in the Olympics but some form of pole dancing can certainly fit in. I’m not certain how involved I will or will not get in the bid for the Olympics but I do know that I do not feel the need to oppose it because that simply won’t gain me anything!

This post was mentioned on Twitter by MrAdamJay: Fresh from AdamJay.co.uk: Pole Dancing & The Olympics http://tinyurl.com/yc5frnq...