I think part of the cache of being an Olympic competition is the
expectation that it will now be taken "seriously". (Like, say, Beach
Volleyball.)
Some people are competitive, some are not. (I am not.) Many sports that
are featured in the Olympics are also practiced as a fun, social thing -
skating, running, the "ball" sports, riding, etc. And surely some folks
are already so competitive in dance that they might as well be competing
in the Olympics! Haven't we all enjoyed watching the professionals in
broadcasts of the Ohio Star Ball? (If not, you should!)
I am pretty sure that country dancing at its highest level can involve
quite a bit of expense where costumes are concerned, no matter how
"casual" the may *look*! (I *know* good cowboy boots for everyday wear
are expensive; I shudder to think how much competition boots cost!) I
have to admit, part of my enjoyment from ballroom dance has come from the
chance to "dress up" on a Friday night, and even wear "ball" gowns (though not
the $1000 variety) for special dances and college competitions. (You don't
have to be competitive to compete at the college level; it is great fun and
social too!) But "our" type of ballroom dance, a la D.I. and the Regent,
also allow for casual clothes. The choice is up to the individual.
So boycott the Olympics if you think they are too competitive, or if you
object to how they are growing away from being for "amateurs", but that
doesn't mean it is not valid to want to make it an Olympic event. If I
were worried about "not doing it right", influenced by Olympic standards
or even good college competitors, I would have dropped out of dance six
years ago!
Yours in dance,
Ruth Ann Nichols