There is currently a short-list of sports to have a spot for the 2008 Summer Olympics which will be hosted this August in Beijing, China. Right now, it is up to the International Olympic Committee to decide on which sport gets the vacant spot. Recently two sports of the seven-sport short list are both golf and rugby.
In North America, golf is a nationally televised sport with the PGA and LPGA. However, rugby is mainly covered outside of North America.
There are many sports trying to get into the Olympics. The Tug of War International Foundation is trying to bring the sport back to the Olympics. It was pulled out back in the 1920 Olympics. However, the main dilemma is that the sport is not televised. Therefore, it would be very difficult for tug of war to get the necessary exposure.
Ballroom dancing has been brought up as a possibility for a spot in the 2008 Summer Olympics. But, is ballroom dancing considered as a sport? However, ballroom dancing has floored both golf and rugby. During the golf and rugby seasons, those sports get the TV coverage.
However, ballroom dancing has been covered year-long. With recent TV shows about ballroom dancing, its profile has been elevated to a new level. One example would be “Dancing with the Stars” where celebrities compete against each other in a ballroom dance type competition. It is safe to say that the high ratings of the show have remained consistent throughout the seasons.
The state of ballroom dancing has very much evolved. Ballroom dancing of the past and ballroom dancing of the present are two very different things. It is pretty much the past against the future.
But the notion of bringing ballroom dancing to the Olympics has caused a conflict. It is a clash between the amateur dancers and the professional dangers. The professionals have fears that competitions will be up to amateur league.
This brings up the question of ball room dancing: What is ballroom dancing defined as? Is it an art form? Is it a science? Is it a sport? Is it a competition? In short, what is really ballroom dancing?
Also, what are ballroom dancers? Are they dancers? Are they athletes?
Ultimately many would ask: Should ballroom dancing be given a spot in the Olympics?
It seems highly unlikely that tug of war will be returning to the Olympic Games in the near future.