British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Lauri Ann Fenlon said that after five days of hearings she needed time to consider all the arguments.

 

Vancouver officials said that they would comply with the ruling if the case went against them.

 

Fifteen female ski jumpers took Vancouver 2010 to court seeking a declaration that the committee is not upholding the Charter of Rights and Freedoms because it is hosting competitions for male jumpers but not for women.

 

Vancouver argued the programme is up to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has said the women are not ready for competition.

 

It also says that the IOC as a foreign body is not obliged to follow the Charter.

 

Canadian champion Zoya Lynch said: "We're speaking our minds and trying to change the way women's sports are in 2010."

 

Deedee Corradini, the president of Womens Ski Jumping USA, said in the event the judge sides with the women, she believes the IOC would cave in and put on an event for them rather than cancel the mens' events.

 

She said: "The IOC is controlled by Europeans.

 

"In Europe, ski-jumping is huge, the guys are rock stars.