For immediate release
January 4, 2010
Official Liberal Critic for Amateur Sport and the Vancouver Olympics calls on Prime Minister to make a New Year’s resolution to prevent gender discrimination at the 2010 Games
VANCOUVER – Vancouver Quadra MP and Liberal Opposition Critic for Amateur Sport and the Vancouver Olympics, Joyce Murray, claims it is not too late for the Canadian Prime Minister to fight for the inclusion of women’s ski jumping (WSJ) in the Vancouver 2010 Games in February.
“Prime Minister Harper must exert diplomatic pressure on the International Olympic Committee and its President Jacques Rogge. It is not too late to right a wrong,” said Ms. Murray.
Logistically the IOC can still include the sport in Olympic competition by the middle of January 2010.
“Mr. Harper has failed to do his job and defend the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in Canada,” said Ms. Murray. “He is willing to shut down Parliament to maximize his Olympic photo opportunities, but unwilling to address blatant discrimination at the Games.”
Canadian courts have described the IOC decision as discriminatory since women’s ski jumping met a higher ‘readiness’ bar than other sports that were accepted into the Olympics at the same time the WSJ was excluded.
“Canadians sacrifice their lives overseas for values like gender equality, she added, “why is our Prime Minister complicit in discriminating against women right here in Canada?”
-30-
Contact:
Perry Tsergas, Office of Joyce Murray, MP for Vancouver Quadra
613-218-3730