Is cheerleading a sport?

Is cheerleading a sport? Bring up this question to a group of cheerleaders and things are likely to get heated. There are more than two sides to this controversy. Some say that sideline cheerleading is not a sport, despite the obvious skill required, because there is no competing. By these standards, competitive cheerleading IS a sport because there are winners and losers. Squads compete against each other to see who is the best. This would make some types of cheerleading a sport, but not others. On the other hand, some say that because cheerleading is an athletic activity that requires physical strength and skill, it is a sport regardless of whether there is any actual competing. Cheerleaders attend tryouts, practices, and games just like any other athletes, so cheerleading should be a sport. Still others say that cheerleading isn’t a sport at all because it’s easy and there are no winners and losers. This group appears to be dwindling as it becomes increasingly clear that cheerleading is not easy and many cheerleaders compete both for a spot on the team and against other squads at cheer competitions. Some states have already declared cheerleading a sport, and some predict that more are likely to follow. This matters because when cheerleading is considered a sport, it gets figured into the school or district budget. Since cheerleading can be expensive, this helps make it more accessible for athletes to participate in. Being considered an official sport could also benefit cheerleading by making it more of a priority at schools, meaning it would get designated practice time and space. Still, some cheerleaders and cheer advocates do not want cheerleading to be considered a sport because of the extra regulation this invites. While many welcome this oversight as a way to diminish injuries in an already dangerous activity, some see this as stifling creativity and prohibiting them from performing the stunts they want to do. What gets lost in the cheer as a sport debate is the fact that cheerleaders are athletes. Regardless of what you think cheerleading should be classified as, we can all agree that it takes skill and athletic ability to perform the moves cheerleading requires. What do you think? Is cheerleading a sport? Does “sport ” status help or hurt cheerleading? Leave your opinion in the comments!