The push for cheerleading to be included in the Olympic Games remains an ongoing effort, and the next major opportunity for inclusion is approaching. While Brisbane 2032 seems unlikely to feature cheerleading, the timeline for deciding the initial sports program is set for 2026—leaving plenty of room for change in the next seven years.
The IOC Executive Board met in Greece this month and confirmed that Brisbane 2032’s initial sports program will be determined at an IOC session in 2026. Typically, the sports lineup is finalized seven years before the Games, but in this case, the IOC has allowed for additional time to assess the sports program. This decision will help the Brisbane 2032 Organizing Committee evaluate infrastructure needs and work with the IOC on refining its sports selection process.
Cheerleading achieved a significant milestone in July 2021 when the International Cheer Union (ICU) was awarded full recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This recognition is a crucial step forward, but it doesn’t automatically guarantee inclusion in the Olympic Games. The sports for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics have already been selected, and cheerleading was not included. This means the next possible opportunity for cheerleading to be considered will be the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
With full IOC recognition, cheerleading is now eligible to be considered for inclusion in the Olympic Games. The ICU, headquartered in the United States, has been the authoritative body for cheerleading since 2009, organizing the ICU World Championships. With this recognition, the ICU can now actively petition for cheerleading to be featured in the Olympic Games.
If cheerleading were to be included in the Olympics, it would likely follow a qualification process similar to gymnastics. This would mean that the top 10 countries from the year’s World Championship would qualify for the Olympics. The structure could include 10 all-girl teams and 10 coed teams, ensuring a diverse and competitive field.
One of the biggest challenges is the athlete quota. Around 10,500 athletes took part in the Paris Games from 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs). This number does not include coaches and team officials. In 2020, the Summer Olympics had over 11,300 competitors from 206 nations. Adding cheerleading would mean accommodating approximately 600-800 additional athletes for one sport. With a typical competitive cheer team comprising 24-36 athletes, a format allowing twenty teams to qualify would mean an estimated 720 cheer athletes, plus coaches and staff. Comparatively, artistic gymnastics only accommodates around 100 athletes per Olympic cycle.
Additionally, the sport still requires a standardized “Code of Points” and more objective scoring criteria. The ICU continues to refine these elements, working to align cheerleading with the structured judging systems used in other Olympic sports. Another factor at play is an agreement between the ICU and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), which restricts the number of cheer athletes ICU can propose for the Olympics to avoid direct competition with gymnastics.
For Paris 2024, the new events included breakdancing, skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing. The Los Angeles 2028 Games will feature baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse, and squash. Despite these opportunities, cheerleading faces stiff competition and unique challenges. Compared to the sports added for 2028, cheerleading has a complex scoring system that can be difficult to understand and isn’t as globally popular.
While cheerleading may not be in the immediate conversation for Brisbane, the ICU still has an opportunity to push for inclusion in future Olympic cycles. The precedent set by past host cities, such as Tokyo 2020 introducing new sports like skateboarding and climbing, shows that the door remains open. If cheerleading can continue to expand its international presence, standardize its judging criteria, and resolve athlete quota concerns, the Olympic dream may still become a reality.
Stay tuned to Cheer Daily for updates on cheerleading’s Olympic journey! Visit cheerdaily.com for more breaking cheer news.
