Pole in the Olympics
How do you feel about pole dancing being in the Olympics?
Chances are you already have an opinion formed. Because someone has probably already asked you, at some point in the recent past.
We’ve all seen the various groups trying to get pole into the Olympics, and read the various opinion pieces on why it would be great for our “sport”, or why it would forever ruin what we do by stripping away (ha, ha) what we love about it. It seems like you need to either be with it, or against it…and presumably, against it because the idea of gymnastics-style, “sanitized” pole dance forces us to compromise our sexuality, our sensuality, our celebration of the female.
Other people are upset at the “direction” that our industry is moving in. There is a lot more modern dance, a lot more lyrical, a lot more gymnastics and acrobatics finding its way in to influence the current trends in pole dance. Where has the sensuality gone? Where did the sexy go? What happened to all the heels? Are we trying to deny the historic origins of our sport? “No, wait, pole dancing originated from a bunch of overly flexible Indian men, didn’t you know? They run up and down thick wooden poles like a spider on a stairmaster. Yes, that’s where pole dance came from.” And meanwhile, the girls in their sequined bikinis and heels hear that argument and roll their eyes. Because they know that it doesn’t make sense to say that modern pole dance evolved from Mallakhamb, or Chinese pole, if the very apparatus we use is polished, making clothes a hindrance. And the argument rolls around and around until we turn blue in the face from shouting at each other. In the end, it matters little where you think pole really began, it matters where you think it’s going.
A lot of people seem to feel like these are polarizing issues in our community. That there is a great big line drawn in the sand, and you have to decide what little clan you’re standing in the sandbox with. The distance across this line is so great that you can’t even see the other side.
Let me ask this: If you are against pole in the Olympics, why? Is it because you think that the sport will quickly become overrun by gymnasts who are stronger/more flexible? Guess what? That’s ALREADY happening. I don’t think that the “sanitization” of pole is happening because we are trying to get more accepted– I think it’s the other way around– I think it’s because we’re getting more accepted that trained dancers and gymnasts are coming to pole.
Are you thinking that it’s not right to take away the sensuality that you feel makes pole dance what it is? What about all the thousands of pole dancers worldwide who ALREADY do fitness-based pole? Do you think they should pack up and leave?
Are you maybe against the idea of young women and children in pole dance? That’s already happening too, albeit a more fitness-based version. The tricks are not inherently sexy, it is the intention behind the movement that makes it so; and unless young women and children are being exploited, I can’t see any reason to deny them from an apparatus that can be completely gymnastic and non-sexual.
Are you maybe against the idea because you think it’s silly to put a style of dance in the Olympics? Maybe you think that it’s akin to putting ballroom dance or Irish stepdancing in the Olympics. But that’s not giving much credit to the pole pioneers who HAVE found a way– in just the last few years– to make their movements and tricks highly gymnastic. Some of the things that are being done nowadays are certainly in line with the tumbling passes you see on a mat, or on the balance beam…. And think of how much more difficult and ridiculous it could become if people started training from a young age on the apparatus of pole. How much higher could the ceilings be raised?
Maybe you don’t want the taboo removed. Maybe the idea that pole dancing is sort of naughty is what attracted you in the first place, and you don’t want to see that changed. Maybe you feel like transforming pole dance into pole gymnastics makes it something you are less interested in, or want to be part of less. Maybe you enjoy thinking of yourself as sort of a frontrunner, ahead of the trend, and a participant in something that is edgy. Maybe you’ve found a part of your sexuality, identity, and self-confidence through pole that you didn’t know before, and you want other people to have the opportunity, and attraction, to find that same self-discovery in pole. But you know what? Empowerment is empowerment. It doesn’t come from how high your heels are, what tricks you can do, what tricks you can’t do, what studio you go to, what you look like in a sports bra, or whether or not you can do a split. EMPOWERMENT comes from self-confidence that comes from a healthy place within. What you need to do to find that, is up to you, and not for ANYONE else to decide. If it takes sneakers, sports bras, and bike shorts with gymnastic moves, then so be it. If it takes sequins, glitter, and platform shoes, so be it. But who are you to limit anyone else?
Pole dancing in the Olympics, to me, comes down to this: It may not be important to you, to have validation from anyone else. But to a certain group, it is important to have the public validation that comes with being accepted by the Olympic committee. Because some people who DO see this as fitness, want others to acknowledge how much work, and really—how extremely difficult—that pole dancing can be. Whether or not you agree with that, it is important to THEM. To think that it is a detriment to pole dance as a movement modality is to ignore evidence to the contrary. There are modern dance competitions. There are YOGA competitions. Do those modalities suffer creatively because some people want to have recognition from a board of judges? Do the competitions limit anyone else from expressing themselves however they want?
I don’t understand why it has to be either/or. I don’t understand why there isn’t enough room in pole dance for the fitness-based and sensual dancers to all have their cake and eat it too. Let me ask this: why do we all have to agree? Why can’t we all accept that different opinions are good, and that different styles are good, and that variety within our own ranks only makes us more diverse, and appealing, to a larger range of people? If we are truly empowering ourselves, we are all working together to grow.
It doesn’t matter if you work for a different studio, write for a different magazine or blog, or have a different teaching style or certification program. It doesn’t matter if we have different philosophies on what is important or how to teach something. I see a lot of boundaries and little cliques being formed, based on what you wear, or what kind of music you dance to, or what kind of “style” you have when you move. And that’s okay. That’s natural—to want to band together with people who are like you. And it makes sense—now that pole dance is becoming so diverse, finding people like you is comforting. But to exclude, to make it about “us” versus “them”—well, then you’re closing yourself off from growing.
As we learn and incorporate new movement vocabulary, new ways to navigate up, down and around our apparatus, it can only result in making it easier to truly express ourselves in our dance: passion, honesty, creativity, and truth in our movement; pushing of boundaries and comfort zones, and breaking down of walls. Pole dance is dance. It evolves based on the audience, and the participants. As people from various backgrounds and training styles come to pole, they grow and expand our definitions of what pole dance can be. And who are we to stop that evolution? Why would we want to?
Monday’s post: Workshops update…
Thank you Amy for making so many valid points about not blocking ourselves and others into limited viewpoints and judgement patterns. I adore how you highlight we all can allow ourselves to blossom in our own way, with our own permission. You are a very gifted person, thank you for sharing these beautiful words.
Thank you Jeanie
Thank you again amy for an insightful, interesting and well thought out post. I hope it opens some eyes and provokes some thought.
Thanks Andria Rose. Even if people don’t necessarily agree, I hope that we can continue to talk about this topic with respect for one another…. ya know?
“Whatever purifies you, is the correct road, I will try not to define it.” – Rumi
I love this quote because it always makes me think of the judgment often heaped on us by those on the outside who ‘don’t know better’, now it’s making me think of the judgment within our own community.
To each her own. It’s a good thing to continually remind ourselves of. I know why *I* love pole and always will, someone else may have different reasons, their reasons may not be mine and mine may not be theirs.
I love Rumi! Thank you for posting that here. There is indeed a lot of judgment within our own ranks, and I find that truly hurtful and sad.
(My opinion is housed in my doctoral work in performance psychology within cultural studies in education – specifically with an emphasis on gender issues in performance. Basically, we do not perform in a vacuum and our culture greatly impacts our experiences of sport, dance and how we perform in any endeavor.)
The Olympic motto is Citius, Altius, Fortius, Latin for ” Faster, Higher, Stronger”. These are traits that spring from the male model of sport and athleticism and are valued because they are quantitative, not qualitative and can be measured.
Yes, there are sports with a subjective evaluation that have made their way into the Olympics – ice dancing, rhythm gymnastics, etc – but these continue to draw a lot of criticism and I have had some fairly heated debates with more than a few guys who argue they are not “real” sports primarily because they cannot be measured.
Chinese Pole, Mallakamb nothwithstanding, pole dancing is perceived as sexy and from its stripper roots in this and most countries. When a pole dance group of women tried to compete on ABDC, one of the judges just had to say that no matter how hard he tried it was still women on poles and how he is a guy and just can’t help seeing it as sexy (um, so are most Latin dance forms, but whatever, you can still judge the skill). The thing is, in a homophobic society this is the kind of attitude many men will maintain, especially with something with stripper roots lest someone “accuse” them of being gay simply by nature of judging and viewing it as a skilled dance form (or sport) rather than commenting on its sensuality.
I suppose I am one of those who is in the gray area – if people want to see pole dancing in the Olympics – go for it. I will not oppose it, I will sign the petition to support it and watch it. I will oooh and ahhhh at the competitors who would show up in pole dancing who will mostly come from backgrounds in gymnastics and contortion and who will get younger and younger as happened in all gymnastics. But it will not speak to my soul in the way that I feel when I watch someone dance, truly dance with feeling using the pole as an extension and part of her/his dance.
On the other side, I do not have a need to see pole dancing in the Olympics for validation. Moreover, it doesn’t matter if you are speaking of the Olympics or the competitions already in place in the pole community, those with backgrounds in gymnastics, dance or with extreme flexibility are dominating. I get it, people come to pole dance/fitness with the backgrounds they have and that’s just the way it is – and it’s wonderful.
But there is something truly amazing about watching someone doing a pole dance irrespective of background – or not – something truly beautiful and magical about the movement that pours out when it is organic and it doesn’t have to be sad or pretty to be organic. Sometimes its giddy, or funny, or angry. But when this is shared without thinking too much about it,; when I can’t see all the “work” behind it; when it is open and vulnerable and without pretense is when I feel I have had a glimpse of the person’s spirit shared with me intimately. This, to me, is magic.
and this is also why I truly appreciate what you have done, Amy, by hosting the showcase – everyone has this in them and everyone gets the opportunity to share it.
Thanks for your insight DocK
I do want to address one thing you said– yes, that judge on ABDC may have had the “typical” reaction. But have you seen the reactions of judges to Anastasia Skukhtorova, Justine McLucas, Bendy Kate, Steven Retchless? Yes, some judges continue to need to relate pole dance to stripping and can’t seem to expand their narrow minds, but others are rapidly recognizing, and respecting, all of the varied awesomeness that pole dance can be.
I think that we all have pretty different opinions on the kinds of pole dance we’d like to see, and what is important to us to preserve– that’s why so many styles exist, and why we are all so different and unique ourselves. I think that as long as we RESPECT our differences, we will all be able to grow as a community, whether or not pole dance is in the Olympics.
Wow, what an excellent post and a truly wonderful comment DocK! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Rana! And yes, the commenters here are awesomely thoughtful
Thank you for laying out all the arguments so cleanly. Nicely done.
I’m personally not in favour of supporting a move to get Pole into the Olympics and I’m not sure I would watch it if it ended up there. I am concerned about the kind of sport it will have to become. Yes, these divisions ( modern or lyrical/sensual; dance/fitness etc) already exist in our communities but it is one thing for us to work these out within ourselves and another to put it in front of the world to see and then make assumptions. How many people who watch the Olympics form their opinions of certain sports based on what they see at the Olympics alone? I know I don’t watch speed-skating or water-polo outside of the Games.
I also think that the issues of non-sexualising the sport AND watching the age brackets go down as it becomes a vertical sport that girls can represent the country in will definitely have a ripple effect on the rest of us. It will affect how we are seen and what the difficulty level of certain tricks will be. I dont know if there are opportunities for grown women to continue to train and compete in gymnastics. I just know I see younger and younger girls in the sport.
In the end, I think it would make more sense to put more support into our our own competitions and pump those up. The Olympics can happen too, I suppose, someday ( although I see it being subsumed into rhythmic gymnastics as a category). As a football fan, all I can say is that I care a lot more about what happens in the World Cup, UEFA, Euro etc than I do the Olympics. That may well happen here too!
I can almost picture it now– twenty years in the future, someone will turn to me and say, “Oh, did you catch pole on the Olympics last night? What did you think? Didn’t you used to do that?” And I’ll say, “Oh, I STILL do pole, but I do the sexy kind.”
I think you make a really interesting point- I can see what you mean about driving up the difficulty to a point where adults become less interested in starting at a late age. But I have to take some cues from Circus, and other types of dance– although some people start ballet at 5, and some people grow up on a flying trapeze or doing contortion, there are still a large number of people that find those hobbies later in life and enjoy them to the fullest. Yes, competing as an adult is unrealistic for those people, but it doesn’t mean that they have any less fun.
I think that you’re right- as competitions continue to become more popular, and more and more of them pop up, that they will continue to be more varied so that there will be a place for almost anyone who wants to compete–including maybe, who knows, the Olympics as well. Already we have Pacific Pole Dance Championships, which don’t require an entry to be selected by judges; Polesque, where the emphasis is on entertaining the crowd. Who’s to say that a competition won’t pop up where all entrants must have zero background in gymnastics?
I loved Dock’s post..I agree with most points. I belong to an excellent studio and I have noticed the shift from the exotic aspect of the dance to the more gymnastic aspect of it- thereby in my opinion removing the sex from the art.
Personally i am sad abut that part as I love the sexual expression of pole dancing- but I can see that if this does become more of a competitive sport the athleticism/gymnasic element will have to feature instead.
What worries me is that the studios will only focus on the gymnastic elements and get entirely away from the exotic dannce/ burlesque element..so to find instructors who teach that element will be difficult..which makes me very sad.
Just my opinion.
I respect your opinion and thank you for sharing it! I replied to DocK’s comment above, if you want to take a look.
I think that our industry is growing. Explosively. A LOT. How many new studios have popped up over the past two years? It’s bound to be that the shift broadens, and that styles become more varied at the studios that are taught. But to be honest– I think that we, as women, will always find a way to express the sensual, circular, and fluid style that we hold so dear– dance, in so many different forms, retains the sexual and sensual despite how mainstream it may become. Have faith
Very well written Amy; your writing is always so insightful and often resonates with my own feelings. My feelings about pole and my place in the “pole world” have shifted dramatically from being overly defensive, to now just focusing on what makes me happy and keeps me motivated. I am not a big trickster and maybe others would think that is boring. I agree if people want to push to have pole fitness in the Olympics, thats fine. But I do have a problem with some people being so driven to “clean up” pole dance that they’ve become so negative and hurtful at times towards dancers who still want the sexy, the shoes, the sparkle. I think pole has for quite awhile been splitting off into its various directions and there is nothing wrong with that at all, variety spices things up. So my biggest concern is that the push to become “Olympics worthy” will make the haters that much more worse on girls who love stripper style. I still want to get a tee that reads “Strippers are Pole Dancers too.”
Oh one more thing! I have found in this past month on several occasions people have asked me about pole dancing and they’ve said, “Yeah, but its just fitness now, right?” And I have to laugh because a few years ago I was telling everyone, “no. no. I do it cause its fun and a great workout.” Now I’m telling everyone I do it for the the sexy, the expression, etc. How things have changed!?
Katie, I totally agree about the need to respect one another no matter what. And that was really the intention of my post– to emphasize that above all.
I think your point is truly hilarious, I used to do the same thing too! Maybe it’s because public perception has changed, maybe it’s because I want people to think I’m a sexy badass, maybe it’s because I’m more comfortable with that side of it myself… who knows? But yes, how things change!!!
My wife just won Miss VA Pole Fitness with a routine that was heavily influenced by modern dance. She chose not to perform a “sexy” routine and some people were less than pleased. Most who saw it embraced it. I believe very strongly that pole, like so many other forms of dance and athletics, is many faceted. To deny one facet is to limit something that should not be limited. My wife has taught pole to strippers, ballerinas, stay at home moms, coworkers, comedians, and so many more. With such a diverse background in dancers, how can there possibly be one right way to pole dance?
Well said Amy! I agree with you that this doesn’t have to be a “for” or “against” mentality. Just as there are different streams in gymnastics (not everyone who starts out as a child has any intention or desire to compete) there can be (and already are as you pointed out) different types of pole dancing. If it does make it into the olympics someday, I’ll watch the younger generation do new and incredible moves and love every minute of it, but it wont change the way I dance. It doesn’t have to change what you love. Lots of people run for fun or fitness, but not everyone races. No one seems to question that, so why should pole be any different?
It’s not like I would petition AGAINST Olympic consideration. But I’m so not interested in the idea that what we do needs that sort of “legitimacy”. I think of how far away from its social/cultural roots dance forms like Latin dances and hip-hop dance has gone once studios and competitions really took root and how that really does bother folks who are committed to the original ideas behind these forms. How audiences weaned on So You Think You Can Dance, America’s Best Dance Crew & Dancing with the Stars view these dance styles now and how different it is from how these dances are performed in communities that don’t see them as fodder for prize-winning. It makes a difference. It can’t be stopped but it makes some conversations really challenging, not to mention the kinds of opportunities it can (not) provide. Pole is in a different place…it is contemporary in origin and we have the opportunity right now to make it what we want/need it to be. As we move forward with this idea that we need acceptance from the mainstream (in order to..what?), I guess I just want to make sure that we can actively provide that other perspective without tearing each other down…but also without shutting doors ( like as age brackets go down and moves become progressively more complex because of what a younger, more highly trained person can do). I hope that all makes some kind of sense.LOL.
I’ve always been concerned about having pole dancing in the Olympics primarily for similar reasons to Shimarella’s. I’m not vehemently against it and or anything and I can appreciate the arguments on both “sides” but I have a few concerns.
As we all know, there are different “styles” or “types” of pole dance/fitness. I believe that they are all legit and all beautiful and that different forms may appeal to different people. If pole were to be in the Olympics, there would have to some form of standardization and it would most likely be heavily influenced by one form above others. Because the Olympics are so visible, I am concerned that the chosen form for the olympics would become so well known that all the other forms would slowly die out. Or at least they would die out for the normal woman who wants to try pole dance.
I notice that there are not really any adults who engage in ice skating or gymnastics. I think it’s because these sports have become so standardized in the olympic model that it has become the only model. “Normal” people are not generally inclined to go try ice-skating in their 30s as a new form of fitness or a hobby. Neither are women of different body types that are fully supported by the pole community.
I respect the argument for pole in the olympics and I fully support and enjoy competition style pole. I think that perhaps the Olympics is not the perfect venue.
PS: Karl, I was in the competition where your wife won (I won the Amateur division) and I thought she was amazing!!
Hi Amy
Wonderful article. Thanks a lot for sharing all your thoughts!
I’ve never really thought about this “Pole in the Olympics” thing and your post made me start wondering why. After some thinking I have to admit, it’s probably because I am very set in my opinion that – for me personally – it just wouldn’t work. I see pole as an art form – maybe similar to aerial hoop or aerial silk – that is constantly evolving in ever new ways. It is exactly because there are so many different styles and every dancer can make pole his/her own individual creative outlet that I can’t see it as part of the olympics. I’m not a huge fan of pole competitions either because I feel that judging so many different dancers according to the same criteria will narrow down their possibilities. I just don’t see the point in comparing individual performances. But that is my opinion, I’m very open to listen or read many others….
You tell it girl!
I personally am all for any and all ways this sport/hobby/dance/whatever you want to call it goes. I’ll support it when 12 years olds are doing crazy things in the olympics, I’ll support it when my friends are competing in the next regional competition with their glitterheels, and I’ll support it when my mom and dad show off their fireman spins to our relatives. I think we all try too hard to put labels on things and judge or limit others.
I love pole and I will continue doing it in whatever manner pleases me. I hope we can get to a place where all respect and appreciate all the different aspects of pole
Helen
One of the things that has fired my pole passion is that it runs the gamut of dance/acrobatic styles. So, if you’re a former gymnast, great. If you used to be a ballerina, fantastic. If you just love to move your body, splendid! I don’t like that there are all these opposing factions in the pole community that say my way or the highway!
Fundamentally, I’m not opposed to pole being in the Olympics if that’s what it came to. I err more on the side that it’s an art more than a sport but then again, if you watch some of those athletes in current Olympic sports, what they do is beautiful as well! I think my main gripe is that I can’t help but feel the reasons behind pushing for pole to be in the Olympics is more about trying to achieve legitimacy and acceptance in the wider public sphere and less about pushing the art/sport become a field of excellence, with Olympic competitors being the pinnacle. We know that if it were in the Olympics, the competitors would not truly be the best that there is because standardising it cuts out a whole lot of amazing polers. So what’s the point? Isn’t the point of competing in a top competition so you can show you’re the best by beating the best?
Just my two cents worth anyway:) Thanks for stimulating the discussion Amy:)
(I should probably amend my comment about how the Olympics wouldn’t have the best to wouldn’t necessarily have the best – I know there are some amazing polers who would quite nicely slot into a standardised competition!)
Very good article! I am in the “don’t care” camp myself. I don’t care if it goes or doesn’t go because Olympic pole dancing will have no effect on me or my students – it’s not like any of us are going to compete at that level nor do I personally feel like putting in that much work.
I’m also in the camp that I like seeing so many competitions coming out because one competition cannot encompass all that pole dancing is. I think we can all have our cake and eat it to if we give each other room to be whatever we want to be and can appreciate what everyone does. There is a difference between pole dancing and pole tricking and I think the more clearly competitions can distinguish that the better – it will help new performers find their way and their style and help us evolve.
I didn’t read all the comments.
I just wanted to say that I think your view that all aspects of this sport can exist together at all times is unrealistic. I love rhythmic gymnastics. My dream is to train in rhythmic gymnastics, but I can’t for the life of me find anyone who would train me, because they only take 5 year olds in beginner level classes, and train them for the olympics.
I’m afraid that one day this will happen to pole.
What LillyBilly said. I don’t -like- it because I imagine the future. The one where people like me who could have pole danced instead choose not to, the same way I choose not to join an “adult beginners ballet” class because it’s.. just kind of embarrassing. This is a dance form that was borderline pornographic. We’re borderline pornographic now. I can see it happening and I just.. don’t like it.
I think it will limit pole to child athletes. Why can’t we just be like belly dancing? They have purists and experimentalists and all types of styles derived from other dance forms. I don’t mind that. Lets argue amongst ourselves, but make it so popular that you can find several kinds of dance studios in one city.
If it does make it to the olympics and 100 years later there are still insecure new mothers slowly finding themselves at studios- I will be SUPER PLEASED and I will totally eat my shoe. I’m just afraid of the evolution of pole making it’s origins disappear.
That said, I don’t shame others for trying to justify their sport.. I just ignore their petitions.
Very intereting read and good points made!
There is plenty of room for both the gymnastic “pole fitness” side as well a the sexy sensual “pole dance side.even a unique mix of the two. I think that’s whats makes those deviated pole dancers unique. We all have our own style, our own mix of sexy vs trickster. And it’s hard work! Ppl train intensely to achieve so much that just gets weak recognistion and negative con italics attached to what we do, that really makes it very disappointing. It can’t hurt having it reach Olympic status. If anything- it could a) opens minds with a cheeky side and B) encourage so many more to give it a go. And I swear by pole for both physical fitness as well as mental health and that sort of empowerment and encouragement in today’s world could really mean something amazing. I do hate the connotation in what I do. I mean stripping and pole dance/fitness r different and that’s how I explain it to ppl when I tell them. But I’m in crossed kinds about that. Whilst I shudnt have to explain myself, ur relief point is right in that the nautghtiness does make it exciting and it makes me feel sexy when I dance. But if there’s nething that pole has taught me that is that sexy comes from within and taking tuis to Olympic saris isn’t going to change that! If anything it will change the olympics make it more fun, relatable and encouraging ppl into fitness and strength as opposed to the clinical insanely rehearsed sports that r so boringly traditional. Let’s shake it up!
P’s sorry for all the spelling errors my IPhone hasn’t picked them up =\i
Just to add another thought about something I learned this weekend. I live in a city from which many olympic athletes have originated. Parents get very crazy about getting their kid into some sport so they will someday have Olympic potential. For example, ice-skaters have to start by at least age 5. There are “tests” and “levels” and all kinds of stress put on these little kids. These tests involve skating for a bunch of judges (when you are, like, 9) and they look at stuff such as if your leg is higher than your hip in your spiral spin, etc. If they are not at a certain level by age 13 (and it’s a high level), they get shunted to a different path where they are basically out of the competition circuit forever. This is sad to me. I’d hate to see this happen to pole. First, it takes a lot of the joy out of the sport. Second, one of the amazing things about pole is that anyone can do it and anyone can start it at any time, or age. We don’t see mothers of 2 in their 30s start taking ice-skating as a hobby, to get in shape, or for the love of the sport. It could happen but, realistically, it doesn’t. Ditto gymnastics, etc. A possible exception to this finding is snow-boarding, which somehow seems to have retained it’s mass appeal despite being an olympic sport. Lastly, I don’t want people judging pole on if someone’s leg is higher than their hip or if they rotated 2 or 3 times or whatever. It takes the art out of it. Anyway, that’s just how I see it but I can see where other people are coming from.
Nice perspective. I agree that people should pursue their own paths. And if we really are “empowered,” we should learn to accept others. For me… I’m not for it or against it. I don’t mind either way. I think that getting pole to the Olympics could be a real accomplishment in one way. But in another way, I realize the pole stars in our industry would be wiped out by 14-year-old gymnasts. I also do think pole would be sanitized. Not just sexually but in many other creative ways as well. Anything that is measured in a competitive environment must meet standards to be taken seriously. This in turn limits its artistic possibilities. If it doesn’t make it there, I will still be satisfied knowing in myself just how physically challenging pole can be. If it does, wonderful for those that pushed to bring it there. Like you said… it all comes down to what is important to the individual. My opinions are only my own.
Very well-written & thought-provoking, Amy! Love it!