B.C. court rejects ski jump bid

ROD MICKLEBURGH The Globe and Mail Last updated on Friday, Jul. 10, 2009 01:49PM

The B.C. Supreme Court has rejected a high-profile bid by women ski jumpers to be included in the 2010 Winter Olympics. Judge Lauri Ann Fenlon ruled against an elite, international group of 15 women ski jumpers who had sued VANOC over their exclusion from Olympic ski jumping at the 2010 Games. They had asked for a declaration that the Games must either include women's ski jumping or have no ski jumping competitions at all. There are three ski jumping events for men on the Games' schedule, and none for women. Women ski jumpers argued this was a breach of Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Ski jumping is the only Winter Olympics discipline restricted to male athletes. The determined quest of the women ski jumpers to take part at the 2010 Olympics had drawn widespread support and sympathy, casting one of the few clouds over the coming Games. Canada's most famous winter athlete, former Olympic ski champion Nancy Greene Raine, was among those who spoke out in favour of the women's cause. Even VANOC officials praised the women ski jumpers.

In court, VANOC contended that the decision to keep the women out was made by the International Olympic Committee, which ruled there were not enough top-flight female ski jumpers to warrant an Olympic event, a claim hotly contested by the women. Local Olympic organizers said they have no power to go against the wishes of the powerful IOC.

ROD MICKLEBURGH April 21, 2009 Globe and Mail:
In his opening remarks, the women's lawyer, Mr. Clark, said VANOC organizes and stages the Games and cannot hide behind the IOC. His clients' equality rights under the Canadian Charter have been violated, he said, because there are three ski jumping events for men in 2010 and none for women. "VANOC's obligations under the Charter cannot be outsourced to an outside authority [the IOC] with a thin, impoverished view of equality." Mr. Clark said the historic exclusion of women ski jumpers from the Olympics arises from a long-standing belief by international sports figures that female bodies cannot withstand the force of landing. He mentioned one official who warned their uterus might burst and another who worried their spines could break on impact with the ground. The hearing, scheduled to last five days, consists of legal argument only. No witnesses are to be called. Mr. Clark is due to finish his presentation today. VANOC will outline its defence tomorrow and Thursday before B.C. Supreme Court Justice Lauri Ann Fenlon.