Cheerleading, Muay Thai get provisional IOC recognition
LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Cheerleading and Thai kickboxing have been granted provisional recognition by the International Olympic Committee.
The International Cheer Union and the International Federation of Muay Thai were among 16 sports bodies which applied for IOC recognition earlier this year.
The recognition assures the federations of $25,000 in IOC funding per year. They are also eligible for other development programs and access to content of the Olympic Channel.
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It is only a first step on the road to any potential acceptance as a future Olympic sport. Cheerleading and Muay Thai join 35 other sports on the list of IOC- recognized federations.
IOC sports director Kit McConnell says the two federations were given provisional recognition for a period of up to three years. During that time, the IOC executive board can recommend full recognition.