Jan 27, 2012

Felicity Logan - Miss Pole Dance UK 2011

Jan 23, 2012

Pole dancing seeks Olympic inclusion

The dream of a Ware woman for pole dancing to become an Olympic sport has received a boost.

2012 Olympic logoExecutive vice-president of the International Pole Sports Federation (IPSF) KT Coates, of Priory Street, believes the organisation’s first Olympic-style championship in London in July will pave the way for the sport’s eventual inclusion in the Games.

Ms Coates, 35, hopes the event, which will award gold, silver and bronze medals in three categories for women, men and doubles, will now take place every year.

She said: "This event will serve as the foundation for the future of pole sports as an Olympic competition. This begins the final step in educating the people of the world about the athleticism, beauty and grace that is found in vertical gymnastics.

"The IPSF has been created in line with other associations that are recognised by the Olympic committee such as gymnastics and ice skating. With the help of pole athletes, the IPSF’s various committees, and other pole fitness and pole sports related organisations throughout the world, the IPSF is dedicated to creating awareness and making the pole sports industry more prominent in the sports community.

"Pole fitness as a sport has seen an increase in the number of its athletes and has doubled in popularity annually across the world. Fitness studios and companies have worked hard to show others that competitive pole fitness is a sport, and one of the main objectives of the IPSF is to implement and increase the visibility of the pole sports industry as an area of importance and significance in sports competitions. With enough awareness and support, we can get pole sports recognised by the highest athletic competitions."

Ms Coates continued: "We are by no means near inclusion into the Olympic Games but we are in the process of getting there and believe in the next eight years we will be included.

"We had great success in Brazil with possible talks of inclusion as a test sport in Rio in 2016. We are also on our way to becoming an officially recognised sport.

By Dan Peters