Olympic Ice Dancing Controversy--Protests Over Aboriginal Dancing Routine

Russia is dealing with another Olympic controversy. This time it is over Aboriginal-inspired dancing routine performed by reigning world champions Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin on February 21 during the original dance competition.

Theme for the Olympic ice dancing original dance was country/folk dance. The ice dancers performed routines from Bollywood-themed Indian dance to Spanish Flamenco and Moldavian folk dance.

However, it was the Aboriginal dance routine that created the international uproar. Aboriginal leaders found it offensive and insensitive. The authenticity of the dance was already questioned after Domnina and Shabalin performed it at the European Championship.

Has enough research been done? It depends whom you ask. Ice dancers are defending their routine. They claim they have done research and worked with Aboriginal experts to insure the authenticity of the program. On the other hand, Aboriginal leaders insist that the routine is not authentic and does not portray their culture in an accurate way. As they see it, nothing really works; neither the costumes nor the music and dance steps.

Domnina and Shabalin have slightly changed the routine after the European Championship because of the criticism it had stirred. They also toned down the costumes and make-up. Unfortunately, these cosmetic changes were not enough. Flesh-tone body suits and painted faux tribal motifs still offended many.

Already before the Vancouver Games, the indigenous people of Canada were worried that Domnina and Shabalin would perform the Aboriginal dancing routine at the Olympics. Considering the reaction of the audience and the judges at the Vancouver original dance competition, it would have been wiser if the dancers chose another routine in their quest for the Olympic medal.

Domnina and Shabalin finished third with this routine. Audience was unforgiving. It awarded them with polite and lukewarm applause. At the end, they finished Olympic ice dancing competition with the bronze medal.

Were Domnina and Shabalin insensitive? Why did they perform the routine in face of all the criticism and protests that erupted after the European Championship? Were they arrogant? Or did they perform it because they believed in their artistic interpretation? Are they going to stop performing the routine after so much outrage? Their explanations so far have not been sufficient to calm down the storm. Their warm meetings with Aboriginal leaders didn't absolve them either.

Perhaps Domnina and Shabalin have stepped on the thin ice the moment they decided to put together the program not of their own culture. Culture allows only authenticity. The indigenous Australians are trying to protect their rich and diverse cultural heritage. It takes more than a research to accurately portray the 60,000-years-old culture. Also, the sports competition is by no means the right venue.