We are a looooooooong way from the Olympics. To even be considered as an Olympic sport we need a national/international governing body. We’d also need standardization as azriel said earlier in terms of moves, judging etc.

However, I think the diversity of pole is one of it’s most apppealing factors and standardization could completely change that to pole’s detriment. Think about gymnastics and how much that has changed over the years, floor routines used to involve beautiful dance work with spectacular tumbles, now it involves some odd arm waving while getting to the corner for your next tumble. So I personally don’t want pole to become an Olympic sport (sorry, dont hurt me, hehe) because the whole spirit of the dance could be lost.

On another forum it was mentioned that pole may suit something like the X Games a little more.