Vancouver, BC (My Sportsbook) - A group of women ski jumpers had their court appeal dismissed Friday, failing an attempt to include the sport for females at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

In a decision released on July 10 this year, Justice Lauri Ann Fenlon of the British Columbia Supreme Court ruled against the women, who had sued the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, saying they wanted competition for both men and women or none at all.

The appeal was heard Thursday and Friday in Vancouver by a panel of three appeal court judges.

"We appreciate the court's time and careful consideration of these complex issues," said John Furlong, VANOC's Chief Executive Officer, in response to the ruling. "With 91 days remaining until the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, we must remain focused on our preparations to stage the 2010 sport program as set out by the International Olympic Committee, including a men's ski jumping event."

Furlong said the organization remains supportive of women ski jumpers with the hope to add it to future Olympic Games.

In her earlier ruling, Fenlon noted that while the competition is discriminatory in that it allows only men to compete, she said VANOC didn't breach the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Fenlon also wrote only the International Olympic Committee has the power to include women's ski jumping at the Games.

Women compete in approximately 48 percent of the events at the Winter Olympics and the percentage of female athletes has steadily increased to just over 40 percent.

In 2010, three men's ski jumping events will be held at Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park.