IOC recognises cheerleading and Muay Thai
OLYMPICS: Cheerleading and Thai kickboxing are a step closer to becoming a part of the Olympics after being given provisional recognition by the International Olympic Committee.
The International Cheer Union and the International Federation of Muay Thai were among 16 sporting bodies that applied for IOC recognition earlier this year.
The recognition, which is the first step on the path to any potential acceptance as a future Olympic sport, assures the federations of $25,000 in IOC funding a year, and also deems them eligible for other development programs.
IOC sports director Kit McConnell said 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.
Cheerleading and Muay Thai join 35 other sports on the list of IOC-recognised federations.
