USA Cheer, the national governing body for Cheer in the U.S., applauded the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) provisional recognition of cheerleading and its international governing body, the International Cheer Union (ICU).
This provisional recognition means the ICU will be able to petition the IOC for inclusion in future Olympic Games after the initial three-year provisional time period has concluded.
“We are proud of the growth of cheerleading from its beginnings here in the United States to its current global popularity,” said Bill Seely, president, USA Cheer. “This news is an affirmation of the athleticism and talent of cheerleaders, and we are pleased to see these athletes recognized internationally. ICU President Jeff Webb and Secretary General Karl Olson have worked tirelessly over the past six years to have Cheer and the ICU accepted by the IOC.”
USA Cheer selects and sponsors the U.S. National Team at the annual ICU World Championships. Since 2009, the U.S. has accumulated 20 gold medals.
“Cheerleading is a unique activity, and we are excited about the possibility of it one day being included in the Olympics,” added Seely. “Young cheer athletes around the world will be the primary beneficiaries of this new status.”
