Pole Dancing?

Pole dancers brave cold to make point

Pole dancers in China have been showing off their talent in freezing conditions - to beg people to stop giving them the cold shoulder.

China now has a national pole dancing team for competitions, but the activity is frowned upon across the country as a part of the sex industry.

So the country's national squad - featuring three women and one man - are trying to show that their exhibitions are every bit as athletic as gymnastics.

"We train just like athletes. There's nothing sexy about what we do. It's a sport like gymnastics," explained squad member Song Yao.

"If people would shed their prejudices and just watch us , they'd see we're not sleazy."

"They seem to be very dedicated. Those poles must be freezing in this weather," commented one spectator.