HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The national governing body for gymnastics has agreed to sanction college cheer competitions, a step aimed at getting competitive cheerleading recognized as a sport.

USA Gymnastics will sanction events held by the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association, a group of six schools with competitive cheerleading teams.

Oregon coach Felecia Mulkey says the move represents the "birth" of a new college sport.

It comes after a federal judge in Connecticut ruled earlier this summer that what participants call "competitive cheer" had not developed enough to be considered a college sport for Title IX purposes.