Women's Ski Jumpers Feeling Optimistic about Inclusion in 2014 Olympics. Should they?

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced today that they will delay the final decision on whether to add several new events, including women's ski jumping, to the Olympic program for Sochi 2014.

The IOC board has further announced that they have empowered their President, Jacque Rogge, to make the final verdict by the end of April. This means that the fate of women's ski jumping lies entirely in the hands of the man who has repeatedly turned them down for the past eight years.

There was no criteria decided upon for Rogge to use in making his decision. It will be entirely subjective.

Deedee Corradini, president of Women's Ski Jumping USA, and World Champion Lindsey Van both said they were optimistic about the decision, stating that the IOC board had positive things to say about the progress of the sport in the last few years and that they simply needed to see that progress in full effect at the World Championships in Oslo in February in order to make the final decision.

"We are taking this as a win," said Corradini, "It doesn't concern me that they're leaving this decision up to Rogge because he really drives the decisions of the board anyway."

"I think they want to buy themselves more time. They will see the progress we've made at the World Championships," added Van.

This may be the best feedback the women's ski jumpers have received from the IOC thus far in their 8-year battle to be added to the Olympic program. However, it is unsettling to be told to wait another six months before a decision and to have that decision fully placed in Rogge's control.

Corradini also mentioned that their fundraising efforts to continue to support their athletes and coaches will become much easier once women's ski jumping is officially an Olympic event. Not having a final decision handed down today means another six months of struggle.

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• Discrimination/Title IX
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• Ski Jump

This post is related to an event on our Calendar:

• FIS Nordic Ski World Championships - Support Women's Ski Jumpers!

This post is related to an ongoing story:

• Women`s Ski Jumping in the Olympics

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