International Olympic Committee denies it discriminated against female ski jumpers

The International Olympic Committee has issued a statement saying it  "strongly disagrees" with a B.C. Supreme Court decision, which concluded it was discriminatory to bar women's ski jumping from the 2010 Games.

(See original story here.)

The IOC's statement  is listed below:  

While we are pleased that the Games can now proceed as planned, we strongly disagree with the court's analysis that the IOC acted in a discriminatory manner. As previously explained, our decision was based on technical issues, without regard to gender.

The IOC will continue to follow the development of women's ski jumping and remains open to considering its possible inclusion in the Sochi Games in 2014. We understand and appreciate how important inclusion is to the dedicated athletes who participate in the sport.

We also welcome the court's recognition that "the IOC in recent years has supported the inclusion of women in the Olympics and in amateur sports." and the observation that, "The IOC has implemented a wide range of initiatives to increase women's involvement in leadership and administration within the Olympic movement and the wider sporting community."

The judgment goes on to say, "VANOC points out that these are not empty words or empty policies; women now compete in approximately 48% of the events at the Winter Olympics and the percentage of female athletes has steadily increased to just over 40%" (quote from pages 34-35 of court decision) .


Background Briefing for the Media


Because so many sports desire inclusion in the Olympic Games, decisions regarding the Olympic Programme are very carefully considered. Programme decisions are made well in advance of the Games to ensure a fair and orderly process that results in well-organised competition. Proposals for inclusion are made by International Federations and are thoroughly analyzed by the Olympic Programme Commission. After the analysis, which includes on-site observations at competition events, as well as research on participation levels and other relevant factors, the Programme Commission provides its recommendations to the IOC Executive Board. The Executive Board makes the final decision on which events and disciplines will be included in the Olympic Programme.

When the 2010 programme was determined in 2006, women's ski jumping was one of seven events considered for inclusion. The others were ski cross, biathlon mixed relay, bobsleigh and skeleton team competition, luge team competition, alpine skiing nation team event and curling mixed doubles. After carefully reviewing all seven events, the Olympic Programme Commission recommended only one - ski cross - for inclusion in the 2010 Games. At a meeting in Kuwait City on 28 November 2006, the IOC Executive Board considered the merits of the seven events and agreed with the Olympic Programme Commission's recommendation.

The recommendation and the final decision were based on technical merits and had nothing to do with the gender of the participants in any of the sports or events. The Executive Board explained its decision at the time in a press release that follows as an appendix.

In the past, some events have been added to the programme without meeting the criteria that are currently in place. Also in the past, some events have been added to the programme well after the initial programme decision. However, in recent years the procedures for determining the programme have become more rigorous and more closely linked to relevant criteria. Athletes, trainers, National Olympic Committees and International Federations deserve finality, so they can set long-term goals and training schedules. Past decisions are not relevant to the current situation.  

      Key Points:
      -----------
     
      -     As a matter of policy, and as a clearly stated Olympic principle (see
              Rule 2 of the Olympic Charter), the IOC strongly supports gender
              equality in sport.
      -     The IOC admires and respects the talent and dedication of women ski
              jumpers, including the athletes who filed this lawsuit.
      -     The decision in 2006 was based on the merits, not on the gender of
              the participants.
      -     Women's ski jumping was analyzed using the same criteria as the six
              other sports.
      -     Only one of the seven events that were considered met the
              requirements for inclusion.
      -     Women's ski jumping had not developed to the point where it was ready
              for inclusion in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
      -     There were not enough elite athletes from enough countries.
      -     At the time, women's ski jumping had not had a single World
              Championship, which was one of the factors considered for inclusion.
              (The first was held two months ago. Some experts and media
              representatives at the event noted the relative scarcity of elite-
              level athletes.)
      -     Even if women's ski jumping has developed since 2006, it would not be
              fair to the other five excluded sports to reverse the earlier
              decision. They may have developed as well.
      -     The IOC Executive Board said in 2006, and it remains true today, that
              the IOC is open to considering women's ski jumping for possible
              inclusion in future Games as the event develops.
     
      APPENDIX:
     
      The press release issued on 28 November 2006 during the Kuwait City
Executive Board contained the following information:
     
      "Vancouver 2010 Programme - Events and Disciplines
     
      In addition, seven proposals to include new events have been studied by
the Olympic Programme Commission according to a list of criteria as outlined
below:
     
      -     Events must have a recognised international standing both numerically
              and geographically, and have been included at least twice in world
              and continental championships
     
      -     Global public and media interest in a sport must be considered as key
              elements in the analysis of sports for these are fundamental elements
              in the success of the Games
     
      -     The social value of a sport (e.g. elements of environmental impacts,
              athletes' health, education, non-discrimination, fair-play and
              solidarity), should be considered
     
      -     To be considered for admission to the Olympic Programme, a sport must
              show a direct emphasis on youth and development
     
      -     The judging and adjudicating system of a sport must ensure
              objectivity, fairness and transparency
     
      The EB followed the recommendations of the Olympic Programme Commission
and took the following decisions:
     
      -     to include - if VANOC also agrees - the event of Ski Cross which
              meets all the criteria listed above and whose appeal to the youth has
              grown tremendously over the last year
     
      -     not to include the events of Biathlon Mixed Relay, Bobsleigh and
              Skeleton Team Competition, Luge Team Competition, and Alpine Skiing
              Nation Team Event as these events would only allow the same athletes
              already participating in an individual event to take part in another
              event and win more medals.
     
      -     not to include Curling Mixed Doubles and Women Ski Jumping as their
              development is still in the early stage thus lacking the
              international spread of participation and technical standard required
              for an event to be included in the programme.
     
      The EB noted that it would be closely following the development of Women
Ski Jumping with a view of its inclusion in future Olympic Games."

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