I am an enthusiastic cheerleader, passionate about my sport for seven long years. I have lived through every thrilling lift, every ambitious throw, and every communal cheer, watching each event with my heart echoing the rhythm of the beat, yearning to make cheerleading a recognized Olympic sport. The highlights of my life include witnessing the awe-inspiring talents of Simone Biles and Coco Gauff in the arena that makes champions - the Olympics. The yearning to be a star, to win something big for cheer, led me to an inevitable conclusion after the 2024 Olympics - Cheerleading must be included in these games.

Cheerleading, a sport as competitive and demanding as any other, has been shamed, belittled, and pushed aside for far too long, despite its grand display of athleticism, team synergy, and fervor. Not to forget, these same characteristics forbid it from being any less than any other sporting event already present in the most significant sports stage of the globe.

The International Cheer Union (ICU) boasts a total of more than 3.5 million registered athletes (2017). This sports discipline’s status, its participants, and its passionate audience are continually expanding, further justifying the requirement for its recognition and inclusion on the Olympic stage.

The time is now. We should not wait for another four years of Olympic Games to go by without the vibrant showmanship and exceptional athleticism of cheerleading being recognized on the biggest international games stage. Please, lend your support to make this change. By signing this petition, you are advocating for the inclusion of cheerleading in the Olympics. The cheerleaders, the supporters, and each one of its passionate fans deserve this recognition. Make your voices heard, sign now.