ACAPULCO, Mexico (Reuters) - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has delayed until next year a decision on adding new events, including women's ski jumping, to the Winter Games.
The IOC's executive board (EB) was expected to ratify the addition of women's ski jumping, which has been campaigning for years, at a meeting in Acapulco Monday but said it wanted more time although it was "looking favorably at the inclusion."
The board said the final decision would now be made in April, after the next round of world championships, and the verdict would be made solely by IOC president Jacques Rogge.
"Before taking a final decision the EB said it would like to consider the outcome of the respective world championships which will take place during the winter season in 2011," the IOC said.
"The EB has empowered the IOC president to take the final decision on its behalf."
The board said the other events up for consideration were: ski halfpipe (men and women), ski slopestyle (men and women), snowboard slopestyle (men and women), biathlon mixed team relay, figure skating team event and luge team relay.
"The IOC Olympic Program Commission analyzed all the requests put forward by the International Sports Federations, based on established criteria, and submitted its findings to the EB," the IOC said.
"The key positive factors included whether the changes would increase universality, gender equity and youth appeal, and in general add value to the Games.
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The IOC's executive board (EB) was expected to ratify the addition of women's ski jumping, which has been campaigning for years, at a meeting in Acapulco Monday but said it wanted more time although it was "looking favorably at the inclusion."
The board said the final decision would now be made in April, after the next round of world championships, and the verdict would be made solely by IOC president Jacques Rogge.
"Before taking a final decision the EB said it would like to consider the outcome of the respective world championships which will take place during the winter season in 2011," the IOC said.
"The EB has empowered the IOC president to take the final decision on its behalf."
The board said the other events up for consideration were: ski halfpipe (men and women), ski slopestyle (men and women), snowboard slopestyle (men and women), biathlon mixed team relay, figure skating team event and luge team relay.
"The IOC Olympic Program Commission analyzed all the requests put forward by the International Sports Federations, based on established criteria, and submitted its findings to the EB," the IOC said.
"The key positive factors included whether the changes would increase universality, gender equity and youth appeal, and in general add value to the Games.
� Continued...
Watch Board Games Online
