Pole Dancing in the Olympics?

Or, I Hear a Rustling of Publicity in the Trees...

Please read Yannori's comments on pole dancing in the Olympics at http://www.expressthesensual.com/2010/02/26/no-i-wont-sign-your-polympics-petition/. I did, and immediately on finishing it, I retweeted it to the world. I'm happy to put my name behind her article, because I agree with it wholeheartedly. Each to their own, but a push for pole dancing to be included in the Olympics has a particular end in mind, and that end certainly isn't the celebrating of pole dancing in all its sensually athletic beauty.
I know that there are some out there supporting this venture simply because they are enamoured with pole dancing; they have admiration for the talent and ability of the dancers who perform such incredible moves. Pole dancing is a difficult and demanding art and those who participate at any kind of level need to have dedication and commitment. And I really do have respect for those people, and their enthusiasm, as much as I believe this is quite idealistic.
But as Yannori has so well said, there are many other art forms in the same vein as pole dancing which are not considered sports and which are not included in the Olympics - bellydancing and ballet being amongst them. Let's remember, this is not simply celebrating pole dancing, this is asking for it to be regulated and moulded by the Olympics - ie politics (more politics!), scoring, and competitiveness.

The Olympics is the arena for sport. The emphasis is on comparison and competitiveness. Where will that leave space for expression and for the more sensual elements of our art form? Yannori hits the nail on the head - those elements will go. They have no place in an Olympic format. In their place will be regulation and constant comparison. The art form will be changed, diluted, squashed.
Personally, I don't think that anyone in our industry really believes that we will make it to the Olympics for oh, let's say the next 20 years or so, at least, if at all - especially as other events such as cricket and squash haven't made the grade as yet. I think it's a case of Shoot for the Stars and at Least You'll Reach The Trees. And what are the "trees"? Well, in the meantime, it means a LOT of publicity (especially at Winter Olympics time) for those individuals involved in the push. So here's what I think this whole thing really comes down to: Publicity. Promotion. Attention. Sponsorship. Those who are smart enough to know how the media works, are working it. In this case my admiration and respect is NOT necessarily earned, because this is no longer about pole dancing. Some are honestly hoping to create new pathways for the industry by getting bigger sponsorship. But really, think about it: what damage will it do to the art form to agree that it's not valid as is, that it needs to be legitimised, that we have to change it into a competitive sport?

Finally, I absolutely believe that each must do their own. Everyone does have their own perspective on pole and should be free to practice it as they love to. I am currently an advisor to the team who have brought out Australia's newest pole dancing event, the Asia-Pacific Pole Dance Championships, which has both Freestyle and Classic Pole as separate divisions. I have enjoyed watching different styles emerge from my classes to the stages of the world. But I am in agreement with Yannori - if you want to make pole dancing into an Olympic event, then change the name.
So again, please read Yannori's article, and, if you agree, retweet it. She says it so well, and with honesty and passion. Read it and you'll see that it's not about her or her business or what sponsorship she might be looking for. It's about celebrating the beauty of The Art of Pole Dancing.

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

It's less than a day since I wrote the article above and already I'm hearing from women all over the world who appreciate what I, Yannori, Robyn, Adam Jay, and others have written. I have to admit, with the fanatical drive for Olympic recognition, one can sometimes feel a little like a heretic for speaking ones mind.

But what I'm loving right now is the awareness I have of a gentle yet strong, steadily-growing force of women who love pole dancing for what it is, who understand that we have no need to prove anything to anyone, that striving for validation and "respect" is actually a way of showing how unconsciously we haven't already validated and respected ourselves. These are women who've been assuming that they were the only ones who thought differently, but as each one of us bravely steps up and speaks our mind, others are connecting with our point of view. It feels like a sisterhood is growing; a force of women dedicated to the sensuality and femininity of pole dancing. I like it!

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

One other thing strikes me as glaringly obvious and distinctly worrying in what I've seen written in the pro-Olympic literature. I know that both Yannori and I have suggested that the name Pole Dancing should not be used to describe the "sport" form, but does no one else find it incredibly dubious that one particular company is trying to rename our art form after their own business name???!!!

One other thing - re my Monday comment about publicity - just to clarify, publicity for the pole dancing art form and community as a whole is a good thing. We are so blessed to be able to live our passion and make that our living as well! I wasn't indicating that there was any issue with supporting the global pole community... Need I clarify more? I think most of you understood very clearly what was being said.

Thankyou for reading!

In light of all this, and although this is not strictly speaking a blog, I invite you to reply with a comment. Please address your responses to info@jamilla.com.au, and don't forget to include your name. I will be adding approved comments to this page.