(ATR) Members of the Canadian women's ski jumping team are telling VANOC 2010
chief executive John Furlong to press the IOC to include their discipline on the
program of the Vancouver Games - or risk trouble under Canadian law for VANOC.

In a letter to Furlong obtained by Around the Rings, the women plea their case,
one week before the IOC Executive Board is expected to take a pass on adding the
women's discipline to the Vancouver Olympics.

A strict application of requirements for world championships and the number of
countries competing in the sport are the official objections backers of the
sport say they are hearing.

In their letter to Furlong, the Canadian women say the issue of gender
discrimination could arise should the IOC block women ski jumpers f rom competing
in Vancouver.

"How can the federal and provincial governments fund construction of a
multi-million dollar facility that puts up a "No Women Allowed" sign?" ask the
women.

"Surely such discrimination is contrary to our rights enshrined within the
Charter, and to both the federal and provincial Human Rights Acts," they write
to Furlong.

To view a copy of the letter to Furlong, see below.

While international ski federation FIS is supporting the addition of women's ski
jumping to Vancouver, in IOC circles there seem to be few advocates for 2010.
The 2014 Olympics are considered a more likely arrival date for women jumpers in
the Games.

Currently 30 countries are fielding women competitors in ski jumping, about 150
women in all. Women's ski jump supporters say that's more than either skeleton
or bobsleigh offered before women were included in the program in those events.

So far, only j unior world championships have been held in women's ski jumping.
The first FIS-sanctioned world championship is scheduled for 2009, but women
have been jumping in FIS events since 1995.

Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for
subscribers only.

(Copyright 1992 * 2006, all rights reserved. The information in this report may
not be published, excerpted, or otherwise distributed in print or broadcast
without the express prior consent of Around the Rings.)


COPY OF LETTER
November 20, 2006

Mr. John Furlong
Chief Executive Officer
VANOC
3585 Graveley Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V5K 5J5 (Via FAX and COURIER)

2010 Olympics could end discrimination against women and assure gender equality
by including women's ski jumping.

Dear Mr. Furlong,
We write to you as a group of Canadian ski jumpers urgently seeking your
support. As you are aware, the IOC Executive Board will be voting on November
28th and 29th, 2006 on the possible inclusion of new events at the Vancouver
2010 Olympics, including women's ski jumping. We rejoiced earlier this year when
FIS (the International Ski Federation) agreed to request that the IOC include
women's jumping in 2010. That decision both affirmed the important principle of
gender equity and recognized the maturity of women's ski jumping. This year
jumpers from 14 nations will be competing in 20 events staged by 8 countries on
3 different continents.

We sincerely believed and hoped that VANOC would embrace this opportunity to
remove the final barrier to equal participation by women at the Vancouver
Olympics and would encourage the IOC to approve the FIS request. Recently,
however, we have been disappointed and concerned by published remarks from VANOC
executive members. Cathy Priestner Allinger expressed concern on October 26th,
2006 that of the seven re quests to add events, ski jumping was the only one that
would "significantly increase the number of athletes" and expressed concern with
respect to village capacity. You are reported to have stated on October 25th
that the prospect of inclusion of new events was "slim" and that "it would
complicate things".

Unlike the other proposed new events, the inclusion of women's ski jumping
addresses an issue of gender inequality. How can the federal and provincial
governments fund construction of a multi-million dollar facility that puts up a
"No Women Allowed" sign? Surely such discrimination is contrary to our rights
enshrined within the Charter, and to both the federal and provincial Human
Rights Acts. The benefits of inclusion and the affirmation of the principles of
gender equity more than balance the possible inconvenience to the VANOC
schedule.

Inclusion of women at the ski jumping venue would have many positive benefits
for Canada. We believe we would be strong role models to girls and women. We
have already achieved excellent results in international competitions. Both
Atsuko Tanaka and Katie Willis have finished in first place at the highest level
of women's competition. In a recent team competition, the four of us placed 5th
out of 15 international teams. We Canadian women are definitely competitive with
the other international jumpers. To remain competitive, we need funding and
funding in Canada depends on the chance to stand upon the podium. If the IOC and
VANOC give us a chance at the podium, our sport can continue to develop.

Please help us by embracing the opportunity to hold Olympic Games that are
inclusive of both genders and that celebrate the advancement of women in sport.
We are asking that you immediately lobby the IOC to request the inclusion of
women's ski jumping in 2010. VANOC can create the lasting legacy of a truly
inclusive Winter Olympics that reflect the right of women to participate. As
this is matter of such urgency, we request a response from you as soon as
possible.

Sincerely,

Women's Canadian Ski Jumping Team

Katie Willis
Atsuko Tanaka
Nata de Leeuw
Zoya Lynch

Email: womens_skijumpingcanada@hotmail.com
Fax: 403-282-3418

cc. VANOC Board of Directors
The Right Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister
The Hon. Michael Chong, Minister of Sport
The Hon. David Emerson, Minister for the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics
The Hon. Bev Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Status of Women
The Hon. Vic Toews, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
The Hon. Gordon Campbell, Premier- British Columbia
The Hon. Wally Oppal, Attorney General * British Columbia
The Hon. Ida Chong, Minister Responsible for Women's and Seniors' Issues
The Hon. Stan Hagen, Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts
The Hon. C olin Hansen, Minister Responsible for the Olympics
Brent Morrice, Chairman, Ski Jumping Canada
Bob Nicolay, President of CODA
Denis Ducharme, Minister of Alberta Community Development
Ron Read, COC A Director - Ski Jumping
David Pym, Managing Director, Canadian Snow Sports Association