Female ski jumpers’ appeal set

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – A group of female ski jumpers will return to court in November to appeal a decision that prevents them from competing in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

The British Columbia Court of Appeal will hear the case Nov. 12-13. That’s just three months before the Olympics begin Feb. 12.

A British Columbia Supreme Court Justice ruled last month that the International Olympic Committee was discriminating against female ski jumpers by keeping them out of the games. But Justice Lauri Ann Fenlon said the court lacks the power to order the sport to be included on the program for the Vancouver Olympics.

Ross Clark, the lawyer representing the 14 current and former ski jumpers, said his argument will focus on the finding of discrimination and the judge’s ruling that the Vancouver Olympic Games Organizing Committee, is a government entity.