Lausanne: After its successful debut at the World Games in Chengdu, China, cheerleading is now setting its sights on the Olympic Games, said Jeff Webb, President of the International Cheer Union (ICU).
Speaking at the International Federations (IFs) Forum in Lausanne — hosted at the Olympic Museum by SportAccord — Webb said the event offered an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among sports bodies, including those already part of the Olympic movement and others aiming for inclusion.
“We’ve been part of this forum for a decade,” Webb said. “Around 70 sports are represented here, including Olympic disciplines and others that aspire to join. It’s a unique setting where everyone discusses the future of sport.”
Founded in 2004, the ICU was officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2021 as the global governing authority for cheerleading. Today, the organisation represents 121 national federations and over 10 million athletes worldwide, according to official data.
At the 2025 Chengdu World Games, cheerleading featured a mixed Pom Doubles event for the first time, where the United States clinched the gold medal.
ICU Secretary General Karl Olson described the achievement as a milestone. “Our recognition by the IOC and inclusion in the World Games mark major steps forward,” he said. “We’re continuing to grow the sport globally and strengthen its competitive structure.”
Webb added that cheerleading’s ultimate ambition is to become part of the Olympic family. “The World Games gave us visibility, but our long-term goal is Olympic inclusion,” he said.
While cheerleading is still often associated with energising crowds at sporting events, modern cheerleading has evolved into a highly athletic discipline, blending gymnastics, acrobatics, and dance. Competitive cheerleading events follow rigorous judging criteria, assessing difficulty, creativity, and execution.
“It’s more than just performance — it’s a sport built on skill, teamwork, and precision,” Webb explained. “From its roots on the sidelines, we’ve built an international competitive movement. Within a decade of development, the community was strong enough to form its own federation.”
The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics have already confirmed the addition of baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse, and squash. While cheerleading missed the LA28 shortlist, Webb remains optimistic about Brisbane 2032.
“We weren’t considered for LA28 since our IOC recognition came later,” he said. “But we’re engaging with Brisbane organisers. They’re interested in sports that connect with young audiences, have visual appeal, and deliver strong television coverage.”
Webb concluded, “Our mission is to show the world that cheerleaders are athletes. We’re serious about growth, discipline, and international competition.”
