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2009 World Champ Lindsey Van, by Getty Images

The FIS Nordic Ski World Championships start Wednesday in Oslo. For only the second time, women’s ski jumping will be included in the program - as an individual event only. This is currently the largest stage for female ski jumpers to compete on, as they have yet to be added to the Olympic program, despite their ever-increasing participation numbers and level of competition across the world, not to mention their well-organized lobbying efforts.

The IOC executive committee said in October that they are “looking favorably” on adding women’s ski jumping to the 2014 Olympics in Sochi and that the outcome of the World Championships will play a big part in the final decision, which will be made by President Jacques Rogge in April.

The women's ski jumpers are ready to show the world just how ridiculous it is that they have been kept from competing at the Olympics. The competition will be tight, with athletes from many countries vying for the world title.

The US has sent 5 athletes to the World Championships, including the 2009 world champion Lindsey Van and 7-time national champ Jessica Jerome, whom I spoke with today about the atmosphere in Oslo, dreaming about being an Olympic ski jumper at a young age, the type of training involved, how competition has gotten better in the past decade, being a pioneer in the sport and more. Listen below.

The women's ski jumpers compete on Friday at 3pm Olso time (9am ET). You can catch it live at fromsport.com, fis-ski.com and on Eurosport.

Want to support these fierce athletes in their quest for the opportunity to compete in the Olympics? Here's how:

• Donate to Women's Ski Jumping USA, the organization currently responsible for all financial and administrative duties in supporting the US women's ski jumpers.
• Sign up for updates from Women's Ski Jumping USA and stay on top of the progress of the team and the sport.
• Support the sponsors of Women's Ski Jumping USA. Contact them and tell them you appreciate their contributions to the sport.
• Talk about women's ski jumping on Facebook, Twitter and your blog.
• Watch the competition..and then talk about it to your friends.
• Support the production of the film Ready to Fly, a documentary being done by Bill Kerig on the journey of the women's ski jumpers and their fight for inclusion. A short promo is below. A fantastic and moving preview is front and center on the home page of the site itself. Visit it.

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

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