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Women Won't Ski Jump in 2010 Olympics

Judge agrees it's discrimination, but has no power to help

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 11, 2009 12:48 PM CDT
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(Newser) – A Canadian judge says the International Olympic Committee is clearly discriminating against female ski jumpers by not including their event in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics—but there’s nothing she can do about it, NPR reports. A group of women jumpers had sued the organizing committee, hoping to have their event added. “I'm shocked and disappointed,” a jumper said, but “there is a moral victory here.”

“The IOC made a decision that discriminates against the plaintiffs,” the judge wrote. But “only the IOC can alleviate that discrimination,” as Canada has no jurisdiction. Don't look for the IOC to budge: "Our decision was based on technical issues, without regard to gender,” it said in a statement. But if the IOC had applied the same criteria to men’s jumping, which is “grandfathered” in, the judge said, “neither group would be competing in the 2010 Games.”

Meaghan Reid, of Calgary, Alberta, Lindsey Van, of Park City, Utah, Karla Keck, of Oconomowoc, Wis., and Jessica Jerome, of Park City, Utah, pose outside British Columbia Supreme Court.
Meaghan Reid, of Calgary, Alberta, Lindsey Van, of Park City, Utah, Karla Keck, of Oconomowoc, Wis., and Jessica Jerome, of Park City, Utah, pose outside British Columbia Supreme Court.   (AP Photo)
Word Champion and United States national team member Lindsey Van, left, and Canadian national team member Katie Willis look on during a news conference.
Word Champion and United States national team member Lindsey Van, left, and Canadian national team member Katie Willis look on during a news conference.   (AP Photo)
Lindsey Van has jumped further on the Olympic hill in Vancouver than anyone, man or woman.
Lindsey Van has jumped further on the Olympic hill in Vancouver than anyone, man or woman.   (AP Photo)
Tara Geraghty-Moast, 16, of W. Fairlee, Vt.
Tara Geraghty-Moast, 16, of W. Fairlee, Vt.   (AP Photo)
United States' gold medal winner Lindsey Van.
United States' gold medal winner Lindsey Van.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
bleepbleep61
Oct 31, 2009 1:51 AM CDT
Darn ... Does this mean I have to give up on my dream of a men's synchronized swimming team !!!
Mr.C
Jul 11, 2009 10:02 AM CDT
if they have no jurisdiction why did they hear the case in the first place?

 
Canada • court • gender discrimination • International Olympic Committee • winter sports • 2010 Vancouver Olympics • ski jump • women athletes

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