Amariyah Mallory 
Paris 2024 will add four new sports to its usual program: breaking, sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing. Those sports were originally scheduled to make an appearance in the 2020 Olympics, but next year will be the big debut.
Breaking aka Break-dancing is the newest sport to the Olympic games. This was a huge accomplishment for the dance community. Breaking dancing originated from Black dancers from New York in the late 60’s and early 70’s.
What about cheer? Some might not consider it a sport, but it is. Does it have a chance of being added to the Olympics? The answer is yes! January 11, 2023, the announcement by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee formally welcomed USA Cheer to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic family as a USOPC Affiliate Sports Organization. This was a big accomplishment for the sport of cheer.
“Today is a monumental day for cheerleading and it’s nearly 4 million athletes in cheer and STUNT across the United States. Since our inception, USA Cheer’s mission has been three primary objectives: promote safety and education, help grow and develop interest and participation in cheer and STUNT; and represent the United States of America in international cheer events…I am so incredibly proud of what we have accomplished up to this point and even more excited to build on today’s announcement as we continue to grow and expand opportunities for youth in cheer and STUNT.” Said USA Cheer Executive Director, Lauri Harris.
Unfortunately, cheer will not make an appearance at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
This means that the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles is the earliest possible debut for Olympic cheerleading. In order for cheerleading to be included in the 2028 Games, it would have to secure a majority vote from the IOC’s 102 international members.
By Amariyah Mallory, Sophomore, Whitney Young
Instagram: Dancemari_
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