GREENSBORO, N.C. — The International Olympic Committee officially ruled in July that cheerleading could be a future Olympic sport.

What You Need to Know

The International Cheer Union has been working on getting cheerleading in the Olympics for 11 years

Cheerleading did not debut in Tokyo Games 

Its provisional recognition in 2016 is what propelled its full instatement this year

With this recognition, cheerleading is given the option to petition to compete at the highest level internationally, creating Olympians out of cheerleaders all around the world.

The International Cheer Union began its appeal process to the IOC 11 years ago, receiving provisional recognition in 2016. This ruling helped propel cheerleading to its full instatement and helped the sport gain credibility internationally. 

It's exciting news for everyone involved in the industry. A cheerleader at Cheer Athletix in Greensboro, Claudia Dwight said she has something to look forward to beyond cheering in college.

“Now that cheer is going to be in the Olympics, I can feel it, and it’s inspiring to me," Dwight said.

Her mother, Claudja Dwight is the gym owner of Cheer Athletix, she told us not only is it exciting for the cheerleaders, but the gym owners as well. 

“It’s a great change for the industry. It will help gym owners, school coaches alike to continue to push and to get those skills that are needed to get those athletes where they need to be," Dwight said.

Cheerleading will not debut in the Tokyo Games, but the International Cheer Union hopes cheerleading will make its Olympic debut in the 2028 Olympics Games in Los Angeles.