GamesBids.com: Women Ski Jumpers To Miss Vancouver 2010

Women Ski Jumpers To Miss Vancouver 2010
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GB Staff on Saturday, November 14, 2009  9:59am EST
 
Women ski jumpers won't be participating in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic
Games following a decision Friday by the British Columbia Court of Appeal to
dismiss a bid by the women to force Vancouver 2010 organizers to let them
compete.
They were appealing a lower court ruling that allowed organizers to hold a men's
ski jumping competition, but not a women's event, which the women said violates
Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The women asked the courts to rule that VANOC must either include a women's ski
jumping event or cancel the men's event.
The Associated Press reports Vancouver organizers say the charter doesn't apply
because the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made the decision not to
include a women's event.
John Furlong, CEO of Vancouver 2010, said in a statement, "we appreciate the
court's time and careful consideration of these complex issues. With 91 days
remaining until the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, we must
remain focused on our preparations to state the 2010 sport program as set out by
the International Olympic Committee, including a men's ski jumping event.
"We remain supportive of these remarkable young women and of having women's ski
jumping added to the roster of future Winter Olympic Games".
Women's ski jumping will reportedly be on the program for the 2012 Youth Olympic
Games and the international body that governs ski jumping has said it will press
for the sport's inclusion in the 2014 Winter Games.
There was no decision by the women as to their next course of action.