Lindsey Vonn's request to race men turned down

The International Ski Federation turned down Lindsey Vonn's request to race men in a downhill race. (Alain Grosclaude/Getty Images)

Olympic gold medalist and four-time overall World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn was turned down by the International Ski Federation on Saturday in her attempt to race men in a World Cup event, reports Bloomberg News.

"One gender is not entitled to participate in races of the other and exceptions will not be made to the FIS Rules," the federation said in a statement.

The federation did say that Vonn is "welcome to submit a request'' to Lake Louise organizers "to be a forerunner."

Vonn, the 2010 Olympic downhill gold medalist, wanted to compete against men at a World Cup downhill race in Lake Louise, Alberta, on Nov. 24.

“This is something that I personally want to do,” said Vonn earlier this week. “I’m not trying to race the whole men’s tour; I just want to race one time. If you know me, which most people on the World Cup do, they know that this is a legitimate goal of mine and not a publicity stunt.”