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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Great Midwest Pole Dance Competition and Convention for 2012

This summer, the Great Midwest Pole Dance Competition and Convention will expand to actually include TWO competitions!  Friday, August 24th through Sunday, August 26th, Tinley Park, Illinois will become pole dance central as  X-Pole Presents The North American Pole Dance Championship (National Elite (pro) and Masters (dancers over 40) divisions) AND The Great Midwest Competition (Regional Elite (pro) and Essential Pole (basic level) divisions).

The competitor information, directly from their website, is as follows:


Andrea Riquelme Mexico  Click for bio
Gina Orrico-Hensley Illinois
 Click for bio
Greta Pontarelli California
 Click for bio
Judy Jovanelly Connecticut 
Click for bio
Schannon Weickert Virginia
 Click for bio
Kelly Wood No. Carolina 
Click for bio
Leesi Ruskaup Colorado 
Click for bio
Paula Berbeco Indiana 
Click for bio
Patti Zikmund Illinois 
Click for bio
Rosana Monteiro Florida 
Click for bio

Essential Pole Division

Chelle VanderVelde Illinois 
Click for bio
Christine Engelsman
Illinois  Click for bio
Danielle Zack Illinois 
Click for bio
Diana Sekura  Illinois  Click for bio
Ivonne Furneaux Illinois 
Click for bio
Jhani Miller Illinois 
Click for bio
Jill Olig Wisconsin 
Click for bio
Lori Martin Michigan 
Click for bio
Melissa Dragovan Illinois 
Click for bio 
Molly Hebda Illinois 
Click for bio
Nekia Morris-Cutright Michigan 
Click for bio

Regional Elite Division

Becca Buck Ohio  Click for bio
Crystal "Charley" Harris Michigan 
Click for bio
Dana Miklos Ohio 
Click for bio
Danielle Cain Ohio 
Click for bio
Kyrsten Grimm Michigan 
Click for bio
Mary Brumbaugh Indiana 
Click for bio
Melissa Schrader Illinois 
Click for bio
Marina Heck Wisconsin 
Click for bio
Elena Trefonas Illinois 
Click for bio
Sara Becker Iowa 
Click for bio
Sashya Dean Illinois 
Click for bio
Tiffany McDaniel Wisconsin 
Click for bio

 
Allison Meine Colorado Click for bio
Amber Cahill
Iowa  Click for bio
Amy Guion
California  Click for bio
Anjel Dust
California  Click for bio
Annie Tobiasz
New York  Click for bio
Charlee Wagner
Utah  Click for bio
Fernando Avelar
Mexico  Click for bio
Jennifer Kim
California  Click for bio
Lorinda Kay
Utah  Click for bio
Mary Kolacinski
California  Click for bio
Rhiannan Nicole
California  Click for bio
Samantha Star Cuomo
Massachusetts   Click for bio

I am so disappointed I can't make it to this event.  Good luck to all of the competitors!  If you are going to the competition and convention, leave a comment below and let me know who you are rooting for! 

Monday, July 30, 2012

How do you get pole dancing into the Olympics?

Recently, the Pole World Sport Championship was held in London (right before the kick off of the Olympics) to show that pole IS an Olympic-worthy sport.  So it got me wondering how, exactly, you get a sport added to the Olympics.  It turns out that just really, really, really, really wanting it isn't enough!  There is a long freaking process to follow before a sport can even be considered for the Olympics.

According to Olympic.org

How does a sport become Olympic?
To make it onto the Olympic programme, a sport first has to be recognised: it must be administered by an International Federation which ensures that the sport's activities follow the Olympic Charter. If it is widely practised around the world and meets a number of criteria established by the IOC session, a recognised sport may be added to the Olympic programme on the recommendation of the IOC's [International Olympic Committee] Olympic Programme Commission.

Apparently, some sports first go to the World Games, although it is not a requirement:

Some of the sports that were on the program of the World Games eventually made it as Olympic sports (such as triathlon) or have been Olympic sports in the past (like tug of war). Participation in past World Games is included in the evaluation criteria used to select new Olympic sports adopted by the IOC on August 12, 2004. However, with the current position of the IOC to limit the Olympic Games to 10,500 participants, it is unlikely that many of the World Games sports will be elevated to the Olympic sports.

According to wikipedia, here is how an Olympic Sport is considered:

A sport or discipline may be included in the Olympic program if the IOC determines that it is widely practiced around the world, that is, the number of countries and continents that regularly compete in a given sport is the indicator of the sport's prevalence. The requirements for winter sports are considerably lower than for summer sports since many fewer nations compete in winter sports. The IOC also has lower requirements for inclusion of sports and disciplines for women for the same reason. Following the addition of women's boxing in 2012, and women's ski jumping in 2014, there will be no Olympic sport for men only in those Games, although women are still barred from several disciplines (but on the other hand, there are women-only disciplines, such as rhythmic gymnastics and synchronized swimming).

.  .  .

These criteria are only a threshold for consideration as Olympic sport. In order to be admitted to the Olympic program, the IOC Session has to approve its inclusion. There are many sports that easily make the required numbers but are not recognized as Olympic sports, mainly because the IOC has decided to put a limit on the number of sports, as well as events and athletes, in the Summer Olympics in order not to increase them from the 28 sports, 300 events and 10,000 athletes of the 2000 Summer Olympics. No such limits exist in the Winter Olympics and the number of events and athletes continue to increase, but no sport has been added since 1998.

 . . .

In order for a sport or discipline to be considered for inclusion in the list of Summer Olympics sports, it must be widely practiced in at least 75 countries, spread over four continents.

If you would like to read the entire Olympic Charter (dated July 8, 2011), please click HERE.  

Here is a response posted on of those random question websites

According to Chapter 5, Section III of the Olympic charter [pdf], every edition of the Olympics must include all "core" sports. These core sports are chosen by the Session upon proposal by the IOC Executive Board. In the summer, they must include at least 25 of the sports governed by the following 28 federations:

- International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)
- International Rowing Federation (FISA)
- Badminton World Federation (BWF)
- International Baseball Federation (IBAF)
- International Basketball Federation (FIBA)
- International Boxing Association (AIBA)
- International Canoe Federation (ICF)
- International Cycling Union (UCI)
- International Equestrian Federation (FEI)
- International Fencing Federation (FIE)
- International Association Football Federation (FIFA)
- International Gymnastic Federation (FIG)
- International Weightlifting Federation (IWF)
- International Handball Federation (IHF)
- International Hockey Federation (FIH)
- International Judo Federation (IJF)
- International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA)
- International Swimming Federation (FINA)
- International Union of the Modern Pentathlon (UIPM)
- International Softball Federation (ISF)
- World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)
- International Tennis Federation (ITF)
- International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)
- International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)
- World Archery Federation (WA)
- International Triathlon Union (ITU)
- International Sailing Federation (ISAF)
- International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) 


All of these except baseball and softball are currently part of the core.

In winter, the core includes only the sports governed by the following seven federations:

- International Biathlon Union (IBU)
- International Bobsleigh and Tobogganing Federation (FIBT)
- World Curling Federation (WCF)
- International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
- International Luge Federation (FIL)
- International Skating Union (ISU)
- International Ski Federation (FIS) 


The Olympic Committee also recognizes a number of other sports; the committee session at which the host city is selected can also specify that some of these sports are to be included in that edition of the games, but only up to a maximum of 28 sports (which gives quite a bit of leeway in the winter games).

For a sport's governing body to be recognized and hence be eligible for inclusion in the games, it must be in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code; but the final decision rests solely with the committee as determined by a vote.

Baseball and softball have been removed from the games as of the 2012 edition; this opens up two slots. Those slots will be filled by golf and rugby sevens in the 2016 and 2020 games, bringing the total back to the maximum 28. Golf and rugby are not, however, part of the core, so they could be dropped as early as the 2024 games.

So, there is a lot that needs to happen before pole can be recognized as an official Olympic Sport.  I know the International Pole Sports Federation is working hard to make it happen.  As for the 75 country requirement...let's start taking a poll.  I can gather data based on who clicks on my blog, so I know I get a lot of readers from around the world.  Please post a comment below with the country (you can include city/state/etc.) in which you live and share this with your other friends around the world so we can show that pole IS worldwide! Oh yeah, and which sport(s) would you remove to make room for pole?

P.S. on 7/31/2012: I brought this up on Facebook and did the math.  If Olympic events are decided 7 years in advance, pole has only one year to "prove" itself to get into the 2020 Olympics.  Realistically, that means pole may not even have a fighting chance until 2024 (although someone did mention that pole made the short list in 2009, so maybe it is closer than I thought).  Anyway, 2024 is 12 years away, so that would make the current age of a future pole Olympian about...8 years old?  Possibly younger.  What do you think about that?

July posts for The Pole Dancing Shop

Here are my contributions to ThePoleDancingShop.com for July:

Discussing Categories of Pole Dance

There has been a push by some to take the "sexy" out of pole and create a fitness or tricks based style of vertical gymnastics in order to get our sport into the Olympics.  That got us at The Pole Dancing Shop talking about different styles of pole dance.  For the purpose of this blog, we are going to talk about these styles: Pole Fitness/Sport, Pole Dance/Artistic, Pole Erotic and Pole Exotic.  Please understand these are only opinions.  We understand this may be a hot button issue and welcome comments from all sides.  But please remember to keep it respectful because we are all beautiful pole dancers and we should support each other's styles!

Read the rest of the story HERE.

World Pole Sport Championships - London 2012

On July 19th and 20th, just days before the 2012 Summer Olympics were scheduled to open, the International Pole Sports Federation (IPSF) hosted the World Pole Sports Championship in London.  The goal of the competition was to lay the groundwork to eventually get pole fitness into the Olympics: "Far from being just about pole dancing, pole sports or 'vertical gymnastics,' requires strength, athleticism, creativity, and grace.  And pole sports athletes across the world are ready to get their sport recognized by the greatest sporting event in the world, the Olympic Games."

Read the rest of the story HERE.

Pole Competitions, Showcases and Conventions for 2012

I am on the hunt for pole events all over the globe.  I know I am missing a lot of events from the UK and other areas of the world.  I would like to ask for your help!  Please check out my Google doc (live link below plus I have pasted the events I have as of today into this blog), and then leave a comment with a link to YOUR event so I can update my list.

Thanks!!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WDkiRUv-6eskzU2aWAf6edjvwySwO_yG7PNU-wci9WM/edit

Pole Competitions, Showcases and Conventions ~ 2012


Name
Type
Date(s)
Date to Submit
Location
Website                                                        
National Aerial Pole ArtCompetitionFebruary 25, 2012 Las Vegashttp://aerialpoleart.com/NAPA/NAPA.html
International Pole Championship (IPDFA)CompetitionMarch 15, 2012 Worldwide (Hong Kong in 2012)http://polechampionship.com/
Australian Pole Fitness ChampionshipsCompetitionApril 22, 2012Melbournehttp://australianpolefitnesschampionships.com.au/
Pacific Pole ChampionshipsCompetitionMay 19, 2012 Los Angeles, CAhttp://www.pacificpolechampionships.com/
Pole ConventionConvention/ ShowcaseJune 21-24, 2012Varies in US (Los Angeles, CA in 2012)http://www.poleconvention.com/
International Pole Masters CupCompetitionJune 21, 2012 Hollywood, CAhttp://www.poledancemasters.com/Pole_Dance_Masters/IPM.html
PolesqueCompetitionJune 22, 2012 (twice a year)Varies (Los Angeles in June 2012)https://www.facebook.com/pages/Polesque/215903832386
Alberta Pole Fitness ChampionshipsCompetitionJuly 13, 2012Calgary, Alberta, Canadahttp://www.albertapolefitnesschampionships.com/
Kelly Yvonne’s Hide and Seek - a Pole Dance SpeakeasyShowJuly 19, 2012 (plays monthly with some exceptions)Los Angeles, CAhttp://girlnextdoorshow.com/dance_news/hideandseek/
World Pole Sports Championships (IPSF)CompetitionJuly 19-20, 2012 London in 2012http://polesports.org/
Head Over Heels 2012 Pole Dance Competition & Shopping Expo (Round 1)Competition/ ConventionAugust 4, 2012 Raleigh, NChttp://poledancenc.wix.com/headoverheels
Kelly Yvonne’s Girl Next Door – a Pole Dance SoiréeShowAugust 5, 2012 (plays monthly with some exceptions)Los Angeles, CAhttp://girlnextdoorshow.com/
Air ShowShowAugust 10, 2012 (twice a year) Redwood City, CAwww.poletential.com
New Jersey Pole Dancing ExhibitionShowAugust 19, 2012 Princeton, NJwww.newjerseypoledancing.com
The Great Midwest Competition & Convention 2012Competition/ ConventionAugust 24-26, 2012 Tinley Park, ILhttp://www.midwestpoledancing.com/
The North American Pole Dance Championship (as part of Midwest)Competition/ ConventionAugust 24-26, 2012 Tinley Park, ILhttp://www.midwestpoledancing.com/
Dangerous Curves (plus-sized pole dance competition)CompetitionAugust 25, 2012 Brooklyn, NYhttp://thedivapresentsdangerouscurves.eventbrite.com/
Pole ArtCompetition/ ShowcaseAugust 25, 2012 Sweden and Finland (Stockholm in 2012)http://www.poleart.org/
Pole ExpoConventionSeptember 6-9, 2012Las Vegas, NVhttp://www.poleexpo.com/index.html#.UBbJW6AVkdU
Atlantic Pole Fitness Championships
CompetitionSeptember 7, 2012August 1, 2012Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canadahttp://canadianpolefitnessassociation.com/august-19-2012/
Quebec Pole Fitness ChampionshipsCompetitionSeptember 13, 2012East Montreal, Quebec, Canadahttp://canadianpolefitnessassociation.com/championnat-canadien-de-pole-fitness/
International Pole Camp (Pole Junkies)Convention/ CampSeptember 13-16, 2012Calgary, Alberta, Canadahttp://www.internationalpolecamp.com/
SuperShag Pole Fitness Invitational & ChampionshipsCompetitionSeptember 14-15, 2012 Boston, MAhttp://www.spfchampionships.com/
British Columbia Pole Fitness ChampionshipsCompetitionSeptember 15, 2012Campbell River, BC, Canadahttp://canadianpolefitnessassociation.com/british-columbia-pole-fitness-championships/
Alberta Pole Dance ChampionshipsCompetitionSeptember 21, 2012August 1, 2012Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canadahttp://canadianpolefitnessassociation.com/alberta-pole-dance-championships/
The International Pole and Aerial Arts ConventionConventionSeptember 21-23, 2012 Londonhttp://www.ipaac.co.uk/
US Pole Dance Championships (USPDF)CompetitionSeptember 29, 2012 New Yorkhttp://uspoledance.com/
Ontario Pole Fitness ChampionshipsCompetitionSeptember 29, 2012Ottawa, Ontario, Canadahttp://cherryblossomstudio.ca/opfc/
Miss Texas Pole StarCompetition/ ConventionOctober 5-6, 2012Dallas, TXhttp://www.misstexaspolestar.com/
California Pole Dance ChampionshipCompetitionOctober 7, 2012August 19, 2012Hollywood, CAhttp://www.poledancechampion.com/PoleDanceChampion/Home.html
APFC (APFA)CompetitionOctober 12, 2012 New Yorkhttp://www.americanpolefitness.com/championship/
Kelly Maglia’s Vertical Theater Presents Once Upon A PoleShowOctober 12-14, 2012Los Angeles, CAhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Maglia-Vertical-Theatre/357148110883
Canadian Pole Fitness Championships
CompetitionOctober 13, 2012Vancouver, BC, Canadahttp://canadianpolefitnessassociation.com/september-15th-2012/
Florida Pole & Aerial Arts ShowcaseShowcaseOctober 14, 2012 Orlando, FLwww.FloridaPoleShowcase.com
II Pole World CupCompetitionNovember 2-4, 2012 Rio de Janeiro, Brazilhttp://www.poleworldcup.com.br/ingles.html
Miss Pole Dance AustraliaCompetitionNovember 10, 2012 Sydney, Australiahttp://www.misspoledanceaustralia.com.au/home.php