Anyone who thinks cheerleading isn’t a ‘real sport’ just got shut down

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has granted provisional recognition to cheerleading. What exactly does that mean? Basically, after a three year long provisional period, the International Cheer Union (ICU) can apply to have cheerleading an official part of the Olympic Games. In the meantime, they’ll receive $25,000 a year in funding from the IOC.

And honestly, it’s about damn time.

To say I’ve literally been waiting my whole life for this to happen does not even begin to cover my level of excitement. Cheerleading has become a super popular sport, with the ICU operating over 100 federations with nearly 4.5 million registered athletes.

That’s a lot of cheerleaders who have been out there waiting for cheer to become part of the Olympic games.  Before this news, the biggest accomplishment a cheerleader could receive would be winning at Worlds or even qualifying to compete there. But even at Worlds, a cheerleader must be a member of an all star team, which is not cheap.

My own experience in the all star circuit lasted ten years and never even saw Worlds — and we still spent thousands of dollars each season.  Throw in monthly fees for the gym, extra classes on tumbling or stunting, duets or stunt teams, entry fees, uniforms, shoes, practice uniforms, hotel stays and travel fees.  Too many people don’t realize how much time and money goes into the sport.  In fact, some people don’t even recognize cheerleading as a sport, which it is thanks to a ruling in 2014 from the American Medical Association. This ruling was a work in progress and the debate surrounding it has gone on for years.

So it’s great that cheerleaders can finally represent their country in the Olympics. But there’s more to it than that.

It means all of those guys who gave you shit in high school about cheerleading ‘not being a sport’ can finally bend over to kiss your perfectly toned ass thanks to the tough-as-hell sport.  Seriously, cheerleading is one of the most dangerous sports out there, ranking #1 in catastrophic sports injuries. That’s what happens when you’re flying through the air with zero padding.  The spring floor is very unforgiving friends, trust me.

Cheerleaders everywhere can finally throw it in their haters faces that they’re total badasses.  All the years they have suffered from people making of them for not doing a ‘real sport’ have come to an end, hopefully.

So to every person through high school who made fun of me for spending nearly 15-20 hours a week with cheer related activities, this is for you. Look out for cheerleading in the Olympics in the future, and maybe me dusting off my shoes and ankle braces.