OLYMPICS. ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) -- The IOC is debating whether to include women's ski jumping at the 2014 Winter Olympics, along with new events in snowboarding, skiing, figure skating, biathlon and luge.

A female ski jumper competing in 2009. The International Olympic Committee said Monday it "favours" the introduction of seven new events at the Sochi Winter Games in 2014 - including women's ski jumping. (AFP/File/Joe Klamar)

The International Olympic Committee executive board was meeting Monday to decide on possible additions to the program for the games in Sochi, Russia.

The IOC twice turned down women's ski jumping in its bid for inclusion at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. The IOC said that the sport lacked a sufficient number of elite competitors.

Women jumpers took their case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, but failed to overturn the IOC decision.

IOC officials told The Associated Press that women's ski jumping may be accepted only on a provisional basis, pending a review of the quality of competition at the 2011 world championships in Norway.

Also proposed for inclusion are slopestyle events in men's and women's snowboard and Alpine freestyle, men's and women's ski halfpipe, a parallel racing Alpine team event, mixed relay in biathlon, a team event in figure skating, and a luge team relay competition.

Several, but not all, are expected to gain approval.

IOC President Jacques Rogge has said he supports the addition of women's jumping if the number of top competitors continues to grow.

The inaugural women's ski jumping world championship took place last year in Liberec, Czech Republic, and was won by Lindsey Van of the United States. Next year's championship will be held in Oslo on Feb. 25.

The International Ski Federation plans to start a women's ski jumping World Cup circuit starting with the 2011-12 season. Women have competed on the Continental Cup circuit since 2005.

The addition of slopestyle and ski halfpipe events would be the latest push by the IOC to bring in events that appeal to youth. Skicross made its debut in Vancouver.

In slopestyle, athletes do tricks while going down the mountain and through "features" -- rails, big jumps and bumps. American snowboard star Shaun White, who won the halfpipe gold medal in Vancouver, has said he would like to add slopestyle to his schedule if it's approved for Sochi.

Ski slopestyle is similar to the snowboard version.

In ski halfpipe, skiers score points for performing tricks and jumps on the same course used for the snowboard halfpipe. The event is on the schedule for the 2011 Freestyle Ski World Championships in Park City, Utah.

The Alpine team event, which has been held at the World Championships since 2005, features racers going head-to-head in a parallel giant slalom.

In skating, a World Team Trophy was held for the first time last year in Tokyo. The event featured eight skaters per team -- two male single skaters, two female single skaters, one pairs couple and one ice dancing couple.

Copyright 2010 Associated Press
Monday October 25, 2010 1:25PM

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