Loading....
x
Rafe Arnott/Metro Vancouver
Deedee Corradini, left, president of Women's Ski Jumping-USA, and Canadian ski jumper Zoya Lynch announce a court date has been set in their case to have women’s ski jumping included in the Olympics.
Ten female ski jumpers fighting to get their sport into the 2010 Games will get their day in court, the group announced in Vancouver yesterday.
A hearing date in the discrimination case against the Vancouver Organizing Committee has been set in B.C. Supreme Court for April 20.
Deedee Corradini, president of Women’s Ski Jumping-USA and a spokesperson for the group, said she believes there’s enough time for the case to be heard and a judgment rendered before the Games.
“Things have changed with the Olympic Games several times last minute,” she said. “VANOC has already said that if this decision is made in favour of the women that they will accommodate (them).”
The 10 women, representing current and former top-ranked jumpers from six countries including Canada, filed the suit in May alleging that VANOC’s refusal to allow them to compete in a sport for which there is a men’s component violates their rights to gender equality.
“If this makes it (into the Games) it’ll make such news that people will want to come,” Corradini said. “(Even) if we have to pass out hand-made tickets on street corners.”
Ross Clark, the lawyer representing the jumpers, said the lawsuit names VANOC and not the International Olympic Committee because VANOC is hosting the Games in Canada, and so is responsible to uphold Canada’s laws.
“They are bound by the charter (of rights and freedoms) and are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of gender,” he said.
more canada stories
Worm turns on second Tory, this time over airport tequila row
OTTAWA - The worm has turned on a second Conservative cabinet minister over an airport security impasse - this one fuelled by tequila.
Paralympic closing to be a sentimental farewell to world spotlight
VANCOUVER, B.C. - One eye has been on the clock and the other has been on the clouds for the producer of the closing ceremonies for the 2010 Paralympic Games.
Owner of shop involved in Montreal shooting makes court appearance
MONTREAL - The owner of the Montreal shop that was the scene of a brazen daylight shooting appeared before a judge today, accused of breaching bail conditions.
13 stranded after ice roads turned to mud rescued, says Manitoba Mounties
WINNIPEG - Muddy ice roads that stranded dozens of drivers in the wilderness and prompted 16 northern Manitoba First Nations to declare a state of emergency are proof that permanent all-season roads are needed, the province's grand chief said Friday.
Family of missing N.B. woman reject possibility she deliberately ran off
MONCTON, N.B. - The family of Donna O'Rielly is rejecting the possibility that the missing New Brunswick woman has run off.
editor's picks
In twitosphere, are the funny, famous in it for tweets, or do they also follow?
Twitter is so many things to so many people: infomercial, backyard fence, brain dump. The funny, famous, famous for the wrong reasons or simply very useful have thousands of followers, but who do THEY follow?
The clock may be ticking on CBC's '22 minutes
HALIFAX, N.S. - Is the clock ticking on "22 Minutes"?
NBC behind him, Conan O'Brien in talks with Fox
NEW YORK - The next few months could keep Conan O'Brien very busy.
Facebook users warned about email scam
Another email scam is circulating online trying to ensnare unsuspecting Facebook users into divulging all their passwords.
Thai PM objects to blood-spilling, but open to talks
BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand's prime minister said Thursday the government was ready to hold talks with protesters, who want him to call new elections, but only if they stop throwing blood, blocking government offices and remain peaceful.
Copyright 2001-2010, Free Daily News Group Inc.