IWF discusses Olympic and Weightlifting future in Lausanne
The IWF leadership was this week in Lausanne (SUI) for a series of activities, including the IF Forum, the IOC “Fit for the Future” workshop, and a meeting with the IOC Sports Department.
From October 27-29, IWF General Secretary José Quiñones and IWF CEO Achilleas Tsogas were present in the IF Forum, whereby International Federations high-level representatives were invited to discuss and exchange ideas about relevant topics in the Sport movement.
After an inspirational welcome message from the IOC President Kirsty Coventry, attendees to the Forum had the opportunity to reflect on areas such as sponsoring, women’s representation, sport and science, city-host experiences and challenges, athletes’ expectations, or a presentation on the final stages of readiness of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina (ITA).
IOC President Kirsty Coventry opening the IF Forum in Lausanne
On October 30, Mr Quiñones was accompanied by the IWF President Mohammed Jalood in the “Fit for the Future” workshop, staged and promoted by the IOC.
Following an extensive consultation process with the International Federations, the IOC invited their highest representatives for an in-person discussion on five key themes: 1. Athletes; 2. Olympic Games; 3. Olympic Movement; 4. Better World Through Sport; 5. Revenue, Engagement and Revenue Generation.
Finally, Mr Jalood, Mr Quiñones and Mr Tsogas were this Friday in the Olympic House, where they met the IOC Sports Director Pierre Ducrey. The fruitful encounter focused on IWF’s vision for the enhancement of Weightlifting in the years to come, in terms of sports competition innovative formats.
IWF General Secretary José Quiñones at the IF Forum
“It was a great week of exciting discussions and exchange of experiences! Meeting the IOC and so many colleagues from other International Federations is a great opportunity to better understand, promote and enhance Weightlifting at all levels. It was clear that the Olympic Movement in general highly respects our Sport. The recent addition of two bodyweight categories in the programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 is the latest tangible example of this excellent perception. But we always want to do more and better, and that’s why we are always keen to learn and know about positive experiences others are also undertaking,” considered the IWF President.
IWF President Mohammed Jalood and IWF General Secretary José Quiñones in the Olympic House
On women’s empowerment and on medical matters specifically, two other IWF representatives were also this week in Lausanne: Ms Yassiny Esquivel, IWF Executive Board Member, and Dr Seza Tchobanian, IWF Medical Committee Member.
IWF Communications
