Supporters of women ski jumpers outside the B.C. Court of Appeal in Vancouver. (CBC)

Lawyers for women ski jumpers fighting to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics appeared before B.C.'s Court of Appeal on Thursday in their final bid to force the hand of Games organizers.

The lawyers told the court that the ski jumpers were not challenging the fact it was the International Olympic Committee — not the VANOC organizing group — that decided to exclude their event.

But they argued that VANOC was delivering the IOC's decision, on Canadian soil, and as the planner and organizer of the Games, VANOC should be held responsible.

Justice Harvey Groberman suggested it was a circular argument because the jumpers knew VANOC could not comply under its contract with the IOC, and yet the jumpers were insisting VANOC comply nonetheless.

A B.C. Supreme Court Justice ruled in July that while it was discriminatory to exclude their event, Vancouver's Olympic organizers could not be held responsible.

The ski jumpers' lawyers were asked by the Appeal Court Justices why they didn't seek an injunction that could compel both the IOC and VANOC, either to hold a women's event or cancel the men's.

Putting pressure on IOC

The lawyers said they were seeking a declaration from the court stating that VANOC was bound by Canadian human rights law, and hoped that would be enough to pressure the IOC to change its mind.

VANOC said the ultimate authority in the dispute is the IOC, no matter what the Canadian courts decide.

"Ultimately the sport program, as its delivered in 2010, is [the IOC's] decision," said VANOC communications vice-president Renée Smith Valade. "If there's a decision to add another event, that's still their decision."

During a midday break, the women and their supporters said they feel they're close to their goal.

"We got 90 per cent of what we wanted in the Supreme Court," said Deedee Corradini of Women's Ski Jumping USA. "The judge agreed with us that the IOC is discriminating against us. The judge agreed with us that VANOC is subject to the charter [of rights]."

But the women also admitted it's been a long and difficult struggle.

"It's really frustrating," said U.S. ski jumper Lindsay Van. "You're trying to be an athlete and you have to spend so much time and focus on this aspect of it and fight a political battle which isn't really for us to fight."

Both sides continue their arguments Friday.