Belly Dance Olympics
by Natasya Katsikaris

We have all these Belly Dancer of the Year and Belly Dancer of the Universe competitions, but somehow they don't define the TRUE talents of a veteran dancer. So I am proposing the Belly Dance Olympics to determine the True Queen of the Dance.

Belly Dance Olympic Events

The Waiter-dodging event
In this event, dancers will perform a 15 minute routine with a full 4-minute veil number on a regulation 3' x 3' BD Olympics dance floor. Waiters carrying large trays loaded with mixed drinks and messy saucy foods will be released every 1.5 minutes to walk across the dance floor. A score of 10 is awarded for a perfect routine. Point deductions given for spilled trays, breaks in dance form, or food on veil. Additionally, judges will be seated surrounding the dance floor and deductions will be assigned for hitting the judges' faces with the edge of your veil. 

The Safety Pin Event
For this event dancers will be placed in a regulation sized Olympic dressing room measuring 18 inches x 18 inches. Mirrors are not permitted and at least 3 waiters' uniforms must be hung in the dressing room. This is a timed event. Dancers are required to enter the dressing room, close the door and then safety-pin themselves into a sequined cabaret bra & belt with NO hook and eye closures. Then dancers are required to dance a 5 minute drum solo. 
A perfect score of 10 is assigned for the drum solo with points deducted for losing either the bra or belt or for breaks in form caused by dancing while holding the costume in place. The score is a composite of highest points with lowest time rating.

Saganaki Event
This event is only open to dancers working in Greek restaurants.
Dancers are required to do a 5 minute veil routine on the regulation Olympic dance floor. At 1 minute intervals, waiters will walk to the edge of the dance floor and light a plate of saganaki on fire. 10 is a perfect score with points deducted for setting your veil on fire or breaking form to avoid setting your veil on fire.

Champagne & Parquet floor Event
This event is open to all dancers.
On a regulation Olympic lacquered wood parquet dance floor, a full bottle of champagne and several ice cubes will be spilled. Dancers are required to do a 3 minute entrance number with at least 20 spins. A perfect score is 10. 
Points will be deducted for falling on your a**, breaking form, or in any way appearing to be ice skating rather than belly dancing.

We are still looking for a site for the 2001 games. If your city is 
interested in hosting the event please contact the Belly Dance Olympics 
committee.