The pressure is mounting against the International Olympic Committee to allow women ski jumpers to compete at the 2010 Winter Games.

The IOC claims the sport falls short of basic standards for inclusion as a sport at the Games, therefore, it voted against including women ski jumping in 2010. There is a similar competion for men.

Deedee Corradini, the former mayor of Salt Lake City, the site of the 2002 Games, says women ski jumpers just want fair play for both men and women.

"The time is now for Canada to make history because this could be the first Winter Olympic Games that are gender neutral," Corradini said at a press conference on Saturday.

Corradini says it's up to Canadian politicians - as hosts of the 2010 Games in Vancouver and Whistler - to put pressure on the IOC to change its policy.

Some politicians have already jumped into the fray. David Emerson, the federal minister in charge of the 2010 Olympics, says he doesn't agree with the policy of excluding women from the event.

"Ski jumping is an important sport and we're investing a lot in jumping and training facilities in Canada and to not have women able to participate on the same basis as men, to me, I just don't think it's right,'' he said just before leaving on a trade mission to Asia.

Harry Bains, a New Democratic member of the B.C. legislature, says leaving women out of the competition in Vancouver and Whistler goes against Canadian values, which he noted are committed to providing equality for all.

The IOC, however, says the female side of the sport still needs to grow before it can make it to the Olympics.

"The IOC looks at every sport with a view to seeing (if it is) popular enough that it should be part of the Olympic Games," IOC member Dick Pound told CTV Newsnet.

"The conclusion of our program position is that it's simply not yet widely enough practiced."

Pound said not enough countries have female ski jumping programs that are developed to the level of Olympic standards.

Those advocating women's participation contend that there are over 100 women from 16 countries competing in the sport's global circuit. They've even held a world championship. But the IOC says the sport needs to have two world competitions. This requirement, however, has been waived for sports -- such as bobsledding -- in the past.

The Vancouver Organizing Committee says if the IOC gives the go-ahead to allow women's ski jumping, it would provide the facilities necessary for competition in 2010.

In September, the Canadian Human Rights Commission heard a complaint filed by a group of female ski jumpers, who claimed the Olympic movement was discriminating against them. The Commission's decision is expected soon.

With files from the Canadian Press and a report by CTV's Dave Pinton.