Ski jumpers fear cold shoulder 2010 Olympics By BOB MACKIN -- 24 Hours Vancouver

VANOC risks breaking gender equality laws if it doesn't support a push for women's ski jumping's inclusion in the 2010 Winter Olympics, says a letter to Olympic officials.

"How can the federal and provincial governments fund construction of a multi-million dollar facility that puts up a 'No Women Allowed sign?'" said a letter to VANOC chief executive officer John Furlong from Katie Willis, Atsuko Tanaka, Nata de Leeuw and Zoya Lynch.

The decision isn't VANOC's to make, but the four members of the national women's ski-jumping team said they're unhappy by what they say is a lack of support from the 2010 Winter Olympics' organizers. They claim VANOC is more concerned with costs and athlete accommodation than gender equality.

Furlong and Cathy Priestner Allinger, VANOC's executive vice-president of sport, weren't available for comment yesterday.

International Ski Federation has proposed women's ski jumping for 2010. IOC's executive board votes Nov. 28 and 29 on seven new events proposed for 2010.