The ladies of the slope are finally taking the leap. Let’s hope that will soon be literally as well as figuratively.
Almost exactly a year ago, I covered the infuriating reality for professional women ski jumpers; ski jumping is the only Olympic sport that women aren’t allowed to compete in because it’s apparently not “appropriate for ladies� and could potentially (but not really) damage their ovaries and uterus. (And I thought it was the woman who controls her own body...) Well, it looks like women ski jumpers are finally mobilizing to get in the game.
They have filed complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission on the basis that not allowing them to jump is gender discrimination, which should be prohibited at a venue that’s being constructed with millions of Canadian money. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) are now saying the reason is that there aren’t enough pro female ski jumpers to compete in the games, but female ski jumpers say it’s a crock.
While there are predictions that the complaint won’t amount to much considering the fact that the IOC had already made its decision, I have hopes; after all, it is Canada.
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Kudos to the women ski jumpers. A similar thing happened with Women's Water Polo. Men's Water Polo was one of the very first Olympic team sports (1900), but Women's Water Polo was not added to the schedule until 2000. (And, I learn from wikipedia, the inclusion came after the Australian team lobbied the IOC by showing up at the airport dressed only in their swimsuits.) I was involved in the sport throughout the early 90s, and we got the same bogus line that the ski jumpers have - that there were not enough competitors. It was, and is, balderdash. Keep fighting, ski jumpers! Women are tough enough for all sports and it's ridiculous for our sisters and daughters to be told anything differently.
I was at a ski jumping competition a few weeks ago, and let me just say, the sport is awesome. I didn't know much about any of this at the time, but I did look around at one point and think, hey, where are the women ski jumpers. I would love to see them compete in Vancouver! Absolutely they should be allowed to, no question in my mind.
Frankly, ski jumping seems a lot less "damaging" to the ovaries and uterus than working little girls to the point where they don't mensturate and artificially stunting their sexual development. Or maybe I'm just crazy.
I'd love to see female ski jumpers at the next olympics. I remember when my sister was little and we'd watch men's olympic events, she'd ask when the women would compete. I'm wondering the same thing now.
When I was in high school, women weren't allowed to pole vault because it could damage the uterus. Strangely, though, no one tried to prohibit men from playing tackle football because it can lead to paralysis.
Does anyone know how many athletes/countries have to be willing to participate in a sport before the IOC decideds there is adequate interest?
Are they serious? They think it could damage our uterus? What a horrible argument, and I bet they have no evidence at all. If anything, I'm sure a uterus is more protected and safe than a dangling penis that just flops around and gets crushed. You can't even tap a man's balls without him getting into the fetal position to cry. Damaged ovaries my ass.
this seems like such a no-brainer. isn't ski-jumping one of the most popular olympic sports? they'd have plenty of good competitors and plenty of people would watch the women's competition. if they have room for curling and ribbon dancing, they have room for everything else.
I grew up playing boys hockey, where checking (physical body contact to knock somebody over) is perfectly fine. When I started playing girls hockey, I learned that checking is against the rules for girls. Because girls aren't supposed to fight, or something. Bogus.
Kudos to the women ski jumpers. A similar thing happened with Women's Water Polo.free online games