News

The beginning of a new Olympic cycle is often synonym with new elections in our national member federations.

At the Finnish Weightlifting Federation Fall Congress, Karoliina Lundahl was re-elected for a two-year term. At the same time, the election of half of the Executive Board (EB) was held for three Board Members and a female athlete Board Member. The Finnish Executive Board has now four men and four women of which two athletes, as well as a female president.

Flowers for Karoliina Lundahl, re-elected as president of the Finnish Weightlifting Federation

The new board’s goal is to improve the financial status of the federation as the Finnish government is decreasing subsidies to the sports governing bodies (about five to thirty percent in the next three years).

In Auckland, New Zealand, the successful National Championships gathered 88 competitors (in junior and senior categories), including three lifters from Vanuatu, who participated as guests. At the same time, Simon Kent was re-conducted as leader of the National Federation.

Check a nice video summary of the NZL Championships here

In neighbouring Australia, Sam Coffa, IWF Executive Board Member and Chair of the IWF Technical Committee, was also re-conducted in the leadership of the national weightlifting federation for a third consecutive term. 

In Ankara, Talat Ünlü was also re-elected as president of the Türkiye Weightlifting Federation for a new four-year term (2024-2028).

Also in Europe, Ms Theano Zagkliveri was reconfirmed at the helm of the Hellenic Weightlifting Federation. Pyrros Dimas, IWF Vice-President and three-time Olympic champion, was elected to the Board of Directors and will be the representative of the Greek national body in the Plenary Session of the Hellenic Olympic Committee.

In Russia, the delegates at the Election Conference of the respective Weightlifting Federation chose a new President to run the sport in the country – Mr Dmitry Vasilenko. Out of the 77 attendees in the Congress, the new leader received 65 votes in favour of his election. Before this success, Mr Vasilenko was the General Secretary of the Russian Weightlifting Federation.

Finally, in Ecuador, Fernando Salas was elected President of his national federation for a four-year term (2024-2028).  

Congratulations to the new-elected Presidents and all the success for their respective national teams!  

IWF Communications