It is traditionally perceived as a risque entertainment, performed behind closed doors for paying clientele. But
pole dancing could become an Olympic sport after it was officially recognised as a sport.
The Global Association of International Sports Federation (GAISF) gave it ‘observer status’ – meaning it will now provisionally be classified as a sport.
It follows an 11-year fight by Katie Coates, 41, president of the international pole sports federation (IPSF), who is campaigning for it to become part of the Olympic Games by 2024.
