Pole dancing is now taught at 200 different studios spanning 50 countries, according to one media story. A professional association says, “Pole Fitness as an art, science, and sport has progressed significantly in the past several years. Professional industry representation, leadership and promotion are vital to building and sustaining the reputation of our athletic art form as a safe, effective form of exercise that every woman of every shape and size can enjoy.”

 

Emily Wilson, host of a weekly pole dancing showcase, says, “When you take away the money being thrown at the women and taking off their clothes and giving lap dances, it becomes a completely different thing.”

 

Pole dance advocates are determined to follow the rules set up by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for establishing new sports. To this end, they are forming the International Pole Sports Federation to be headquartered in Salt Lake City, and they will be following IOC regulations when the next World Pole Sport & Fitness Championships are held next May somewhere in Europe. The 2009 Championship, which featured competitors from ten nations, was won by Felix Cane of Australia.

 

An online petition to get pole dancing accepted into the Olympics has reportedly gathered more than 100,000 signatures.

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky

 

Pole Sports: A Roadmap to the Olympics (Pole Fitness Association) (PDF)

Olympic Pole Dancing? (YouTube)