May 30, 2008 (Vancouver, BC) – The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games announced that it has filed a Statement of Defence on Friday morning, May 30, responding to the Statement of Claim issued by eight female ski jumpers including Anette Sagen (Nor), Daniela Iraschko (Aus), Lindsey Van (USA), Karla Keck (USA) and Jessica Jerome (USA), Ulrike Grassler (Ger), Monika Planinc (Slo) and Marie-Pierre Morin (Can) on on Wednesday, May 21, 2008.

The lawsuit charges that VANOC is in violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and contravenes the Olympic charter which states that gender discrimination is “incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.” VANOC asks that the claim be dismissed stating that the plaintiffs have sued the wrong defendant, as it’s the IOC that determines whether women’s ski jumping is included at the Games, not VANOC, adding that the IOC is not subject to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Here’s the Statement of Claim and VANOC’s Statement of Defence that was filed with the Supreme Court of British Columbia Vancouver earlier today.

According to the VANOC release ” VANOC respects the Court and its process and has confidence that its ruling on this case will be fair and proper. Meanwhile, VANOC looks forward to hosting both male and female ski jumpers at Whistler Olympic Park for training in the 2008-2009 season. As this is now a matter before the Court, the Statement of Defence filed this morning represents VANOC’s position at this time and understandably, no additional comment can be provided.”

The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. For more info on the Games isit www.vancouver2010.com.