Pole dancing as an Olympic Sport?

Throughout our course so far we have been exploring and learning about how women have struggled to get the publicity, attention and credit they deserve for their accomplishments when it comes to sports. We have read and seen in films the testimonies of the hardships and discrimination they have been through to get where we are at today. Even though Title IX came into existence we still see a separation when it comes to women’s sports vs. men’s sports. There has always been that notion that men sports are dominating and important while women’s sports are always seen as minimal and not important.

Recently on the news and an online article I came across a story which was titled, “Will Pole Dancing be the Newest Olympic Sport?” When it comes to pole dancing, the first thought that comes to mind is women dancing in provocative clothes for money. Some view pole dancing as an art but the majority sees this as something out of the ordinary. Some questions that come up are: If pole dancing were to become an Olympic sport who would be allowed to participate? Personally, I doubt a man would want to participate in a pole dancing competition since this has always been considered a female thing and also because of the negative aspect pole dancing has in our society. I think if pole dancing were to become an Olympic Sport it would set us (women) back many years. This will only be adding to the notion that women are only sex objects. Why can’t they add another sport that shows a woman’s strength and tests her endurance? I would oppose in letting pole dancing become an Olympic Sport.

Jasmin Dominguez
Kin 338i
Section 4