Int'l Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation Gives Approval To Mixed-Gender Teams

Men and women "can now compete together in the 'four-man' bobsleigh" after the Int'l Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (FIBT) announced it will allow mixed-gender teams, according to the BBC. FIBT President Ivo Ferriani said, "We follow the spirit of our time. There's a strong belief that men and women can compete together in four-man." Mixed teams "can take part in FIBT events from this season onwards." Qualification criteria for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea "were still under discussion and yet to be finalised." Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Kaillie Humphries has already said that she "wants to pilot a four-man bobsleigh, pushed by three male team-mates, this season." Britain's bobsleigh pilot Will Golder, 25, "described the rule change as exciting." Golder: "Some of the best drivers in the world are women" (BBC, 9/25).