IWF Welcomes Opportunity to Show Further Progress In Fight Against Doping
The IOC Executive Board today confirmed that weightlifting will be expected to continue demonstrating progress in the fight against doping before the sport’s place on the programme of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is confirmed. The decision followed the IOC’s review of the International Weightlifting Federation’s (IWF’s) comprehensive actions to improve anti-doping across the sport, together with the reports and recommendations of the independent Clean Sport and Sport Programme Commissions. The IWF has put in place structural changes to the way weightlifting is run to ensure it addresses the historical incidence of doping in the sport, including a doubling of testing, the creation of an independent Anti-Doping Commission and the suspension of nine member federations found to be culturally vulnerable to doping. At its Executive Board meeting last week in Anaheim, USA, the IWF also unanimously approved a series of reforms proposed by the Commissions, which will further enhance the IWF’s anti-doping work. The Clean Sport Commission will be retained for four years to review the implementation of the reforms, and suggest further work where appropriate. The Report was submitted by the IWF to the IOC Executive Board for review at its meeting in Lausanne on 5-6 December, accompanied by support documents that included a WADA letter that noted “The IWF has made significant enhancements to its anti-doping program over the years and in particular since 2014.” Speaking after the announcement, IWF President Tamas Ajan said: “The IWF is completely committed to addressing the incidence of doping in weightlifting. We have started a new chapter in weightlifting’s history and there is no looking back. In the period between now and the IOC Executive Board meeting in July 2018 and beyond, the IWF will continue to introduce every possible measure to protect clean weightlifters. We welcome the comments made by IOC President Thomas Bach today on the need for WADA’s continued engagement with the high-risk countries that have historically featured a disproportionately high incidence of doping. We have already put in place measures in these countries and will continue to work with all stakeholders at both international and Member Federation level to ensure clean sport. “The IWF would like to thank the members of the Commissions and the IOC, WADA and National Anti-Doping Organisations for their efforts and for their continued hard work. We have made great progress but we know there is a lot of work ahead as we implement the Clean Sport Commission’s comprehensive recommendations. I have no doubt that together by maintaining our positive momentum, we will also retain our place as the “fortius” of the Olympic
