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There's no valid reason for keeping female ski jumpers from competing in future Winter Olympics beginning with Vancouver in 2010.
That became stunningly clear when talented women athletes from throughout the world competed recently in the VISA Women's Ski Jumping Festival at Utah's Olympic Park. Led by an impressive group of Utah-based jumpers, the women showed they have what it takes to competitively sail through the air.
Of all the arguments for not allowing women to compete, the most absurd is the one that suggests the female anatomy is somehow too delicate for the rigors of ski jumping. Yet, women compete in other physically taxing Olympic events, including ice hockey.
More legitimate is the concern that not enough countries can field a women's team to make the event meaningful. However, the recent competition in Utah dispelled that notion when women from eight nations participated.
The International Ski Federation took a major step toward competitive equality with its decision to add women's ski jumping to the 2009 World Ski Championships. KSL commends those Utahns who successfully led the battle for inclusion. And we strongly encourage our northern neighbors in Vancouver to introduce female ski jumping competition to the Winter Games in 2010.
