Be of good cheer ... or be a good sport

Is cheerleading a sport? A federal court has ruled that it's not , on the grounds that colleges cannot count the numbers of women who participate in "competitive cheer" teams or "spirit squads" as fulfilling their obligations to provide equal opportunities and participation in sports. But cheerleading has come a long way from its traditional and, some would say, sexist role of providing a visually diverting spectacle of vaguely calisthenic movements by young women in skimpy outfits as a prequel to the main event of male sports. Competitive cheer has become much more athletic and gymnastic – and is increasingly organising itself as a sport, and one that demands commensurate recognition and respect. But what do you think? Can cheer really be called a sport? Can it escape its somewhat tainted past associations? And is it right to grant it autonomous status rather than keep up the pressure for fuller female participation in mainstream sports like basketball, soccer, softball and athletics?