Archive from 2017

IWF meets with nine suspended Member Federations to support them begin process of anti-doping reform

The IWF President Dr. Tamas Ajan met with representatives of the nine suspended Member Federations (MFs) in Kazakhstan on Monday to discuss their anti-doping programmes and the changes they need to undergo to protect the integrity of sport within their countries. The IWF Executive Board took the decision to suspend the nine countries last month after it had been found they had had three or more anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) during the retesting of samples taken during Beijing 2008 and London 2012. This forms part of the IWF’s commitment to protecting clean athletes and implementing robust anti-doping measures at both international and Member Federation level to address the incidence of doping in the sport. Where there have been historical problems with widespread doping, the IWF is putting in place measures to shield clean athletes and change cultures. During the meeting in Kazkhstan, IWF’s independent Anti-Doping Commission Chair, Dr. Patrick Schamasch, and IWF Legal Counsel outlined the number of conditions that the MFs must meet to trigger a cultural shift in their countries and ensure a level-playing field at national level. These criteria include, among many other things, implementing the IWF Rules in their countries and constructing their national level ‘shields’ to protect clean athletes. Further information was also given to the MFs about the Independent Monitoring Group, which is composed of independent anti-doping experts who will help each MF create a tailored action plan to address their issues. The Independent Monitoring Group will monitor the MF’s progress throughout the entire suspension

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING No. 142 is online!

No.142 of WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING includes 2017 Anaheim WWC Preview, 2017 Junior World Championships Tokyo, Taipei 2017 Universiade, Continental Championships and a successful debut of weightlifting at AIMAG, Ashgabat. For more read our interview with Mohammed Jalood, IWF General Secretary and Karyn Marshall, first woman world champion of the USA. Check out the English

IWF Sport Programme Commission recommends changes to Tokyo 2020 weightlifting programme

Commission meets in the Olympic Capital to discuss innovations to Olympic qualification system, event field size and weight categories 14 November 2017; Lausanne: The IWF Sport Programme Commission (SPC) concluded its three-day meeting in Lausanne by agreeing a number of recommendations designed to protect the integrity of the sport and ensure the very best, clean weightlifting competitions at Tokyo 2020. The five-person Commission composed of representatives from all major IWF stakeholders, met at the IWF headquarters in Lausanne on 11-13 November. The primary focus of the meeting was to address the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games weightlifting programme, including the Olympic qualification system, the competition format, event field size and the bodyweight categories. The SPC recommended individual qualification through a shortened (18 months) qualification period for Tokyo 2020, during which time there would be two IWF World Championships. Athletes will be required to regularly participate in Olympic Qualification competitions to ensure that they are regularly subjected to in-competition doping control. The shortened period would also make anti-doping testing easier to implement and more cost-effective. Male and female athletes will compete across the IWF bodyweight categories during the qualification period, from which seven will form the Olympic medal events at Tokyo 2020 for each gender. A maximum of 14 athletes per bodyweight category will compete in Tokyo with each National Olympic Committee (NOC) allowed a maximum of four athletes per gender and only one per medal event. The SPC is continuing to review the existing bodyweight categories to make recommendations to the IWF Technical Committee and Executive Board regarding the new bodyweight categories. The SPC is also exploring innovative and exciting new event formats which will be implemented to keep the sport as appealing and relevant to a global audience as possible. Speaking after the meeting, IWF Director General and member of the IWF SPC, Attila Adamfi, said: “We have had a very productive meeting here in Lausanne as we work towards ensuring that the IWF delivers the very best, clean weightlifting competitions at Tokyo 2020. We want to make sure that we are protecting the integrity of our sport and also provide the most engaging and exciting competitions for our athletes and fans. We have had very good cooperation with the IOC and are continuing to work closely with them. The IWF takes its responsibility to the Olympic Movement very seriously and is committed to promoting the Olympic values around the world. “While our primary focus is of course on the next Olympic Games, we are also examining opportunities to innovate our sport further which will go beyond the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. We are assessing new bodyweight categories, new formats, and new disciplines all of which will make our sport more appealing, particularly to younger audiences.” The SPC’s recommendations will be presented to the IWF Executive Board for approval during their next meeting on 25-26 November

Athletes guilty of doping or bringing sport into disrepute will be barred from “OLY” lettering, WOA reveal

Any athlete found guilty of doping or any other action deemed to bring sport into "disrepute" will be barred from using the new "OLY" post-nominal unveiled by the World Olympians Association (WOA), it has been revealed. The "post nominal letters initiative" was unveiled on Saturday (November 11) during the IInternational Athletes' Forum in Lausanne. It is designed to work in a similar way to other designations, such as PhD for academics. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach - a team foil fencing champion at Montreal 1976 - became the first person to receive the honour. Many others are also making applications through the WOA website here. "Any Olympian found guilty of doping, or any action that brings sport, their fellow athletes or the Olympic Movement into disrepute, will be prohibited from using the OLY post-nominal," a WOA spokesperson told insidethegames. "The right to use OLY depends upon Olympians adhering to both the IOC Code of Ethics and the WOA OLY Code of Conduct, and anyone found to be in breach of those documents will be ineligible to use OLY. "As the Certificate of Recognition which Olympians receive when they register to use OLY says: 'In recognition of your achievement as an Olympian you are granted use of the post-nominal letters OLY, to signify your ongoing role in society as an Olympian, living and promoting the Olympic values'. "To receive the right to use OLY applicants must agree to the OLY Code of Conduct." The "OLY" Code of Conduct requests athletes to agree to act in "the best interests of the Olympic Movement at all times", to abide by IOC Code of Ethics, to act with "honesty and integrity", to work to "spread the spirit of Olympism", to "represent Olympians and the Olympic Movement in a positive and supportive manner at all times". They must also not misuse the OLY designation or the Olympian.org email in any way that could bring disrepute to themselves, fellow Olympians, the IOC, the WOA or an equivalent national body, or "commit or be responsible for and/or party to any form of discrimination including, without limitation, on the basis of race, sex, ethnic origin, religion, philosophical or political opinion or other grounds". It is hoped that the award will act as a professional qualification, showing off the "highly transferable skills of being an Olympian and competing at the highest level", while also acting as a link to other Olympians and a symbol of their "dedication, concentration and commitment to sport and success". Those to have already posted messages on social media confirmed they have requested the lettering include British gymnast Craig Heap, a two-time Commonwealth Games champion who competed at Sydney 2000.

Obituary for Pedro Serrano Negrón

The Puerto Rico Weightlifting Federation informs with great sorrow the passing of one of its most outstanding athletes, coach and Technical Official, Mr. Pedro Serrano Negrón. He departed this physical world on November 9th, but he left a fruitful history for generations to come.  From 1954 to 1978 he participated in more than 35 international weightlifting competitions earning medals in Central American and Caribbean Games as well as in Pan American Games.  He also participated in Olympic Games.  In 1970 he became a Category #1 Technical Official and since then has been the “Professor” for all of us aspiring to obtain such honor.  He was also the first person involved in the Spanish version of the IWF Rulebook, which has been edited several times based on his initial endeavor.  He remained active as a Master lifter positioning himself as one of the best in his weight class at world level.  The weightlifting family in North, Central and South America can remember him as a dedicated coach for several countries besides his country, Puerto Rico.  Our prayers go to his immediate family members and to the extended family in the world of weightlifting. Source: David

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

IWF reports that Mr. Ruslan ALBEGOV (RUS) has been charged with the violation of Article 2.2 of the IWF Anti-Doping Policy. As a consequence, the Athlete is provisionally suspended in view of a potential anti-doping rule violation. In any case where it is determined that the athlete did not commit an anti-doping rule violation, the relevant decision will also be published. IWF will not make any further comments on the case until it is