Pole Dancing: A Future Olympic Sport?

While pole dancing is certainly more mainstream than it was a decade ago, is it ready to go prime time on the international stage as a recognized sport? A group of pole dancing advocates believes it is, and are pushing for pole dancing to be added to the Olympics in 2012.

KT Coates, a leading pole dancer in the United Kingdom and the director of Vertical Dance, is heading up the Olympic bid. She says that they are hoping for a "test" event in 2012, and then a more formal pitch four years later in Rio de Janeiro.

In a petition she is preparing for organizers of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Coates said:

"After a great deal of feedback from the pole-dance community, many of us have decided that it’s about time pole fitness is recognized as a competitive sport, and what better way for recognition than to be part of the 2012 Olympics held in London."

The petition now has 4,000 signatures, and Coates is hoping to add at least another 1,000.

Pole dancing advocates are hopeful about their Olympic chances, citing how such a large number of people now practice pole dancing for fitness purposes. It's not just for strippers any more, they argue, and advocates point out how even more unlikely sports - such as Tug of War - were once Olympic medal competitions.

One thing is for sure -- the addition of pole dancing to the Olympics would increase television viewership.