University of Kentucky will represent USA Cheer and the United States at the XXIII Winter Olympic Games

Posted: Nov 29, 2017 4:40 PM MST, Updated: Nov 29, 2017 4:40 PM MST, http://www.lex18.com/story/369...winter-olympic-games

USA Cheer has announced that a team of United States cheerleaders will attend and perform during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea in support of the USA’s Olympic Teams and Athletes.  In coordination with the organizing committee of Pyeongchang 2018, the provisionally IOC recognized governing body for Cheer, the International Cheer Union (ICU), as well as ICU’s South Korea National Cheer Federation, the Korea Cheerleading Association (KCA), USA Cheer has been extended the invitation to designate a top US-based team to perform and support the USA during the 2018 Winter Olympics located in the Gangwon Province.

USA Cheer has chosen the University of Kentucky to represent the United States in performances at awards ceremonies, Olympic venues, street parades, closing ceremonies and a cheerleading championship with teams from other countries. Cheer teams representing Norway, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Canada and the Netherlands will also be participating in the events.

“We are proud to send the University of Kentucky to represent the United States of America,” says Lauri Harris, Executive Director of USA Cheer. “The cheerleaders from the University of Kentucky have engaged crowds and elevated spirit for generations, and have won countless national championships and we are excited to have them show their talent and spirit on the world stage.”

Jomo Thompson, coach for the University of Kentucky’s coed cheer team, agrees. “Our athletes are among the finest in the country, and appreciate this opportunity to participate in the activities surrounding the Olympic Games. They take this responsibility seriously and are looking forward to representing American cheerleading in Korea.”

USA Cheer is a member of the International Cheer Union (ICU), which is the governing body for cheer worldwide. The ICU has more than 110 member countries, and hosts the ICU World Championships each April. The US National Team, selected by USA Cheer, has won a combined 22 gold medals in nine years at the ICU World Championships.

“The United States is the birthplace of cheerleading, and we are looking forward to sharing the talent of the US-based team with the Olympic community and fans,” says Karl Olson, Secretary General of the ICU. “We are pleased to see cheerleading teams of the top Winter Olympic countries represented at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. This will be an excellent and significant opportunity internationally to showcase the Sport of Cheer and its talented athletes.”

For more information, please contact Sheila Noone, media@usacheer.net.