Who is Lindsey Van?

March is Women’s History Month. And I just learned a piece of women’s history that upset me and should upset more people. While I was enjoying watching the Olympics and celebrating all of the triumphs of female athletes, the world record holder in ski jumping was also watching the Olympics – from her home. Why is that?!

Lindsey Van is the 2009 women’s world champion in ski jumping (the sport where they seemingly fly). She also holds the world record in one ski jumping event – NOT the women’s record but the OVERALL world record. So why was she at home and not in Vancouver competing as she should have been?

Lindsey Van was home because the International Olympic Committee (the IOC) decided that ski jumping is not an “appropriate” sport for women. The IOC made some other excuses about why it wouldn’t include women’s ski jumping in the Vancouver Olympics. It said that there aren’t enough “elite” women ski jumpers in the world. But there are more elite women ski jumpers (39 who competed in the world championships) than there are women who do skeleton – and women’s skeleton IS in the Olympics. So that clearly cannot be the real reason.

No, the real reason seems to have more to do with prejudice (on the part of the IOC). Back in 2005, IOC member and International Ski Federation president Gian Franco Kasper said that ski jumping “seems not to be appropriate for ladies from a medical point of view.” The man who made this medical decision is not a doctor; he’s a Swiss ski official who has a background in tourism.

The IOC’s ruling about ski jumping and women is not an appropriate position in this day and age. It’s sexist. It’s outdated. It’s unfair. And it’s time for change.

You can tell this to the IOC:

• Sign the petition to include Women’s Ski Jumping in the 2014 Olympic Games: http://womensrights.change.org/actions/view/ask_the_international_olympic_committee_to_include_womens_ski_jumping_in_2014_games

• Once you sign your name, pass the petition on to everyone you know via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking websites.

• Contact the IOC and tell them women should be allowed to compete in ski jumping in the next Olympic Games in 2014. Write to:
Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC
Chateau de Vidy
Case postale 356
1001 Lausanne
Switzerland

• Get in touch with the IOC on Facebook and Twitter. Tell them it’s time to recognize women’s equality!

Image licensed under Creative Commons.

Julie Simons

About the Author

Julie Simons

Who is Lindsey Van? Julie Simons March is Women’s History Month. And I just learned a piece of women’s history that upset me and should upset more people. While I was enjoying watching the Olympics and celebrating all of the triumphs of female athletes, the world record holder in ski jumping was also watching the Olympics – from her home. Why is that?! Lindsey Van is the 2009 women’s world champion in ski jumping (the sport where they seemingly fly). She also holds the world record in one ski jumping event – NOT the women’s record but the OVERALL world record. So why was she at home and not in Vancouver competing as she should have been? Lindsey Van was home because the International Olympic Committee (the IOC) decided that ski jumping is not an “appropriate” sport for women. The IOC made some other excuses about why it wouldn’t include women’s ski jumping in the Vancouver Olympics. It said that there aren’t enough “elite” women ski jumpers in the world. But there are more elite women ski jumpers (39 who competed in the world championships) than there are women who do skeleton – and women’s skeleton IS in the Olympics. So that clearly cannot be the real reason. No, the real reason seems to have more to do with prejudice (on the part of the IOC). Back in 2005, IOC member and International Ski Federation president Gian Franco Kasper said that ski jumping “seems not to be appropriate for ladies from a medical point of view.” The man who made this medical decision is not a doctor; he’s a Swiss ski official who has a background in tourism. The IOC’s ruling about ski jumping and women is not an appropriate position in this day and age. It’s sexist. It’s outdated. It’s unfair. And it’s time for change. You can tell this to the IOC: • Sign the petition to include Women’s Ski Jumping in the 2014 Olympic Games: http://womensrights.change.org/actions/view/ask_the_international_olympic_committee_to_include_womens_ski_jumping_in_2014_games • Once you sign your name, pass the petition on to everyone you know via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking websites. • Contact the IOC and tell them women should be allowed to compete in ski jumping in the next Olympic Games in 2014. Write to: Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC Chateau de Vidy Case postale 356 1001 Lausanne Switzerland • Get in touch with the IOC on Facebook and Twitter. Tell them it’s time to recognize women’s equality! Image licensed under Creative Commons. www.flickr.com/photos/bryangeek/102174341/
About the Author Julie Simons Julie Simons is the founder and president of Girl Future. She is passionate about helping girls find their voices so that they can achieve successful, independent futures. She'd love to hear from you via e-mail: julie@girlfuture.com.