Cheerleading, which received provisional recognition as an Olympic sport last week, is an increasingly international activity.
It is by no means restricted to its North American birthplace, according to the man who has driven its growth over four decades.
Jeff Webb has helped transform cheerleading from sideline entertainment at American football and basketball games to the sport that was granted recognition by the International Olympic Committee.
Cheerleading will now be able to tap into some IOC funding and take part in a number of programs, including athlete development and anti-doping.
At the end of their three-year provisional recognition period, they can apply to become part of the Olympic Games sports program.
While cheerleading’s strong youth appeal was clearly attractive to the IOC, widespread international participation is also key to taking the next steps towards a place at the Summer Games.
With over 100 national federations registered with the International Cheer Union (ICU), Webb is certain the competitiveness of the sport would not be confined to just North America.
“When we first started our world championships there was a big gap between the US and Canada and now there is a lot of parity with countries from Europe and Asia that win medals and that sometimes beat the US and Canadian teams,” he told Reuters.
“Thailand has some great cheerleading. Japan has outstanding cheerleading. Some of the countries in Europe, Norway, Finland, Germany, the UK has outstanding cheerleading. It’s developing everywhere.”
The addition of cheerleading and the Thai martial art of muaythai last week takes the number of recognised Olympic sports to 37, only 28 of which were part of the program at the Rio Olympics earlier this year.
Webb, who founded his cheerleading promotional company Varsity Sports in 1974, is very clear on what the sport can offer the Olympic movement.
“One of the key components of what we do that makes it very different is that visual effect of so many people doing these different stunts and skills at the same time that make it very appealing to watch,” he added.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Yeah if you can't hurt someone in it then it ain't a sport, rugby league/Union, afl. Boxing, mma are sports the rest are just games or competitions, golf, basketball, soccer, weightlifting/ body building etc
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
"Just because a choreographed dance routine is a display of strengh and atheleticism does not mean it gets to be an olympic sport. This is more like a dance routine" spot on
BigJ
Roar Guru
Just because a choreographed dance routine is a display of strengh and atheleticism does not mean it gets to be an olympic sport. This is more like a dance routine then and sport and closer to a aerobics workout, I really dont think it will do well in Toyko and its should be kept as what it is nothing more than a dance routine. I have a seen cheerleadering champions before, my mate dragged me to his wife's national comp last year. Lets just say there is nothing sadder then a women in here 30's trying to look at the like a 16 year old. Seriously they all tried the "hey mickey: routine and it look terrrible with half the ladies in the 30's and the other have about 16 yet they all tried to get dolled up the same with their pigtails and red lipstick, I spent the entire time laughing my head off.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
It is obvious that most of those commentating have never seen world class competitive cheerleading. Massive athleticism, strength and team work to the second. Swifter, Higher, Stronger. A full on Cheerleading team routine has all three.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
at least most of those listed are actually sports. You'll never convince me that synchronised swimming, rythmic gymnastics and cheer leading are sport
BigJ
Roar Guru
Jim, you wouldnt know how to judge, its not that simple, ... but seriously, Big DOG agree 100%
BigJ
Roar Guru
In the words of the cheerlading movie bring it on "Cheerleaders are dancers you are retarded" its a nothing sport and never win be again but watching a bunch of half naked girls do a gymnatisc routine, personally I rather watch actual gymnastics. And boxing is very acessible and plenty of people have gone for the Olympics to successful pro careers, infact most do.
Cathar Treize
Guest
Lol and the thugy yawnion lot think getting in the Olympics is sooooo special
DaniE
Roar Guru
Cheerleading is actually a rather big thing in Malaysia. And as a sport, it's quite different to what you see on basketball and American football sidelines.
dopplerman
Guest
careful what you wish for.. Just a note I wonder what the audience would be if they were wearing onesies
BrainsTrust
Guest
Competitive cheerleading is big in America, I think it would be a top rating sport for the Olympics. You have acrobatic gymnastics which isn't in the Olympics remember they had those Chinese who did these moves throwing someone up in the air, maybe that would be a better choice. Well thats the major moves in competitive cheerleading excpet they will have multiple sets of blokes toss the girls above them and do a somersault etc. Acrobatic gymnastics you can have multiple levels one person balancing on top of another and then someone on top of them balancing or being thrown up etc.
GT
Guest
Women's beach volleyball is the best viewing Olympic sport ever!
Glen Gee
Roar Rookie
I'm going out on a limb here but I'm guessing there won't be any teams from the Middle East, North Africa, Central or South East Asia competing? I can hear the cries of foul play already.....
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
Can you imagine what sort of TV coverage this is going to get too? It's bad enough that recent Olympic coverage on Australian FTA TV has been so atrocious, and that they drop everything to show us the Brazil v Sweden women's beach volleyball, but with this too? You can forget about seeing any other sports if it clashes with the cheerleading!
Bushranger
Guest
They have jumped the shark on this one. If cheerleading events ever take place at the Olympics, I stop watching the whole thing.
Gossie fan
Guest
if cheerleading enters the olympics, im out. golf was bad, but cheerleading im out.
Jim
Guest
Happy to be a judge if they need one.... but seriously.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
I would've thought boxing is more accessible, and affordable, for many than golf.
Big Dog
Guest
Cheerleading? Seriously? Whilst I appreciate the spectacle of attractive young women in skimpy outfits prancing and leaping hither and yon as much as any other red-blooded male, is this really a sport deemed worthy of inclusion at the most elite level of competition? Is it really a sport? Or is it yet another sign that the Apocalypse is almost upon us? As importantly, is this the first post I've written that consists entirely of questions?
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Decent analogy. I wonder if it'll be mixed or men's and women's.