Billboard advertisements advocating women ski jumpers be allowed to compete in the 2010 Winter Games were put up in Vancouver on Friday, adding fuel to the ongoing controversy.

The signs read 'Just imagine -- implementing the principle of equality of men and women. Let women ski jump in 2010.'

The billboards were erected near the Vancouver Organizing Committee's office and at the base of the Arthur Laing Bridge in Vancouver.

The women's ski jumping team says the International Olympic Committee's decision to exclude women from the sport in the 2010 Winter Games is discriminatory, while the IOC says its decision was based on technical merit.

"This is an awareness campaign," Deedee Corradini, president of Women's Ski Jumping USA, told CTV News. "This is an issue that will not go away ... The Canadian Ski Jumpers, women's ski jumpers, did beautifully in their placement (in the Continental Cup Competition in Germany) last week."

"Not to allow these talented women jumpers from all over the world ... in their own Olympic games in 2010 would be terrible for Canada. It will be a black eye for the Olympics," she said.

The billboards are garnering attention because IOC President Jacques Rogge will be in Vancouver next week to discuss the matter with the Federal Minister of State -- and he will likely have a view of the pro-women billboard as he drives into the city over the Arthur Laing Bridge.

The women ski jumping team and its supporters plan to hold a rally and press conference downtown Vancouver at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

An online petition to support female ski jumpers is nearly 6400 names long. The petition can be found at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/let-women-ski-jump-in-2010, or linked from the homepage at www.wsj2010.com.

In another 2010-related announcement on Friday, an additional $20 million in federal funding is being added to the pool for the opening and closing ceremonies, officials announced.

VANOC CEO John Furlong and Minister of International Trade David Emerson announced the funding after visiting VANOC offices on Friday.