Olympic Pole Dancing?

Is it time to take pole dancing out of strip clubs and into the Olympics? The answer is "yes" according to advocates for the sport, which has been gaining legitimacy in recent years thanks to the upswing in pole-dancing fitness classes. "There will be a day when the Olympics see pole dancing as a sport," said one professional dancer and Olympic hopeful. "The Olympic community needs to acknowledge the number of people doing pole fitness now. We're shooting for 2012." Though many question the legitimacy of pole dancing as an actual sport, its defenders are quick to point out the bizarre range of events that have been included in the Games, including Tug of War. Not everyone is as ambitious or optimistic about pole dancing's chances for a 2012 appearance. "I feel there are many small, tiny steps that need to be taken before this sport, or any sport can get into the Olympics," said the co-founder of the U.S. Pole-Dance Federation. "We are on, like, tiny step 10 of 1,000."