Kiwi cheerleaders are readying themselves for a hard year of training, with news the sport is one step closer to reaching Olympic status.
The Olympic Committee has given cheerleading provisional recognition, so our national team is taking things up a notch.
Cheerleaders are perfecting their dive rolls and dismounts, their flick flacks and flat backs because come 2025 they could have a shot at Olympic glory.
"We'd definitely be on track to medal - that would be out plan," All Star Cheerleaders and Cheerleading Union president Kimberley Ramsay says.
Auckland's All Star Cheerleaders make up the bulk of our national team; they almost always have a podium finish and often win gold.
"It takes a lot of dedication, hard work, strength, technique and fitness," Ms Ramsay says.
But there'd be something extra special, they say, about making it to the Olympics.
"More people will recognise it as a sport, rather than short shorts and pom poms," cheerleaders Poppy and Harry say.
The Olympics Committee's decision elevates the status of the sport.
In three years the International Cheer Union can apply for official Olympic sport status.
"It's going to mean that we can push our athletes that much harder to get them to that standard, more understanding from parents and athletes in terms of what's required now that it's a legitimate sport," Ms Ramsay says.
There are over 4.5 million athlete cheerleaders worldwide and if it does become an Olympic sport, New Zealand's cheerleaders could well be medal winners.
Newshub.
