I’m a big sports fanatic. Playing, watching, cheering…I’m enthralled at it all, which is why I was stoked to come across a special on Women’s Ski Jumping on the news a week or so back. Those daring femme fatales leaping through the air with speed, hitting the jump, landing with grace; it was all very fascinating to me. Frankly, I never knew something along these lines existed for anyone out there, let alone at such a competitive level.

What startled me more than these airborne ladies was the controversy surrounding the sport. A group of female jumpers have sued the Vancouver Organizing Committee for not allowing them to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics. Since when have women become “too fragile” to do anything? Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t we the ones who have risen above the social stigma and created an equality for ourselves in this world? (Plus, we give birth – ‘nuff said)

The lawsuit is alleging, according to The Vancouver Province newspaper, that ski jumping is a violation of the women’s rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Now, correct me if I am wrong here again, kind readers, but shouldn’t it be a woman’s right to decide if she’s going to put her body – and life – in danger by competing in any sport, including ski jumping? Women have been partaking in this sport as far back as the 1920’s and yet the teams cannot compete at a nationally renowned level.

My theory on this is simple: it’s a sport recognized for men in the Olympics and, in 2008, you’d think this world would be sophisticated enough to give women the same rights as they do in other aspects. If nothing else, couldn’t they act as a little bit of spice added to the winter sports? I mean, curling?! Helloooo boring.

We’re a lot tougher than we look, us females, especially those flying through the air on skis.

To anyone out there who’s listening, let them have their moment.

[photo courtesy of the NY Times]