Archive from

Lasha Talakhadze receives a Star

2016 Rio Olympics superheavyweight champion Lasha Talakhadze received the highest distinction of Georgia from his country's President Giorgi Margvelashvili: the President's Order of Excellence. In a ceremony held in Tbilisi, the Olympic champion who won the +105kg at the 2016 Rio Games with a new world record total of 473kg received a special "Star" to complete the Order, as his name engraved in a golden star was added to the memorial wall accorded to the greatest athletes in the history of Georgia. The presidential award conferred upon Talakhadze included a bonus equivalent of twenty thousand dollars "for having served his country and enhancing the international renown of Georgian sport" by his performance and victory in Rio. (Source:

Nassiri donates 1972 Munich Silver medal to Olympic Museum

Iran’s hero weightlifter Mohammad Nassiri who won many medals including the Olympic gold medal (Mexico 1968), Silver (Munich 1972) and Bronze (Montreal 1976) and 5 World championships gold medals, has donated his Munich Silver medal to the IOC Olympic Museum. The IOC organized a medal donation ceremony on 24th November in Lausanne. Actually there is a nice story in behind, thieves have stolen his Olympic medal 30 years ago! And after a long time of searching and looking for it, an Olympic fan found somebody is selling Nassiri’s medal on the Internet for 10,000 USD! So, he contacted the guy and finally after long negotiating he could manage to buy the medal and bring it back to Iran. After a journey of 30 years the medal was finally awarded back to Nassiri during a wonderful ceremony in the presence of President Aján in Tehran four months ago. Nassiri then decided to donate this medal to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. Many people participated in the donation ceremony including kids and Iranians living in Switzerland, as well as the Iranian Ambassador and Ali Moradi, President of Iran’s Weightlifting Federation. Francis Gabet, Director of the Olympic Museum and Cultural Heritage welcomed Nassiri and introduced him to audience as an amazing Olympian who competed in four Games and collected many world titles and Olympic medals. Nassiri received a Certificate of Appreciation signed by IOC President Thomas Bach. In his speech, Nassiri pointed out that it was the most important moment in his career to be here and donate his silver medal from 1972 to the right place. Source: Amir

Update on Reanalysis

The Disciplinary Commission of the International Olympic Committee has recently issued decisions in the reanalysis cases of the following athletes: Beijing 2008: PASHAYEV, Nizami - AZE - 94 kg KULESHA, Iryna - BLR - 75 kg GRABOVETSKAYA, Mariya - KAZ - +75 kg ILYIN, Ilya - KAZ - 94 kg MANEZA, Maiya - KAZ - 63 kg NEKRASSOVA, Irina - KAZ - 63 kg SEDOV, Vladimir - KAZ - 85 kg AKKAEV, Khadzimzrat - RUS - 94 kg LAPIKOV, Dmitry - RUS - 105 kg DAVYDOVA, Natalya - UKR - 69 kg London 2012: KHURSHUDYAN, Hripsime - ARM - +75 kg KOSTOVA, Boyanka - AZE - 58 kg KULESHA, Iryna - BLR - 75 kg ZHARNASEK, Yauheni - BLR - +105 kg TSIREKIDZE, Rauli - GEO - 85 kg ILYIN, Ilya - KAZ - 94 kg UTESHOV, Almas - KAZ - 94 kg CIRICU, Anatoli - MDA - 94 kg IOVU, Christina - MDA - 53 kg DEMANOV, Andrey - RUS - 94 kg IVANOV, Alexandr - RUS - 94 kg ZABOLOTNAYA, Natalia - RUS - 75 kg These athletes were found to have committed Anti-Doping Rule Violations and their results from the 2008/2012 Olympic Games were disqualified by the IOC DC. The IWF will take over the Results Managements of the above cases after the relevant appeal deadlines (21 days) expire and the status of the cases will then be changed to 'closed IOC/ongoing IWF' on the IWF website's Reanalysis

Preparations on track for GC2018 with 500 days to go

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) has reached a major milestone recently at the Gold Coast, marking 500 days to go until Queensland, Australia Shares the Dream with the 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth. It is a point in time that sees the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) and its Games partners delivering on key strategies and making rapid progress towards the 4-15 April 2018 Games. GOLDOC Chairman, Peter Beattie AC declared GC2018 on time and on budget. “This has been a huge year for GC2018 and it’s exciting to think that there are just 500 days until we shine on the world stage and welcome friends from across the Commonwealth to experience an unforgettable Games,” Mr Beattie said. “The progress is highlighted by the reality that all GC2018 venues for Australia’s biggest multi-sport event this decade will be delivered at least 12 months ahead of schedule,” he said. CGF President, Louise Martin CBE said: “The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games are now only 500 days away and the levels of excitement and anticipation that we feel are being shared across the Commonwealth. “It is fantastic to see the powerful symbol that connects and engages the Commonwealth – the Queen’s Baton – being launched later today, ensuring every single Commonwealth nation and territory can join the countdown celebrations”. Mr Beattie added that the brand new and many upgraded sporting venues will enable local communities to get active and try new sports and enjoy state, national and international competitions in their back yards. “GC2018 is 11 days of sporting competition, but the long term legacy plans promise benefits and opportunities to a whole generation of Gold Coast and Queensland citizens,” he said. Since the GOLDOC bid team won the right to host the Games on 11 November 2011, the organisation has grown from a staff of 10 to a current workforce of over 400 – all dedicated to delivering a bold, ambitious, sustainable and world class Commonwealth Games. GOLDOC CEO Mark Peters said the succession of key milestones and achievements recorded this year was indicative of the progress being made on the path to GC2018. “GC2018 represents a defining moment for the Gold Coast, Queensland and for the Commonwealth Games. Together we are taking the Games to the next level by ensuring this event is a true celebration of sport and humanity that transforms the Gold Coast. “These Games are shaping up to deliver an enduring economic impact and they will unite a proud and engaged community and inspire Australians, the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth Games,” Mr Peters said. Queen’s Baton Relay 500 days to go celebration is highlighted by the spectacular reveal of the GC2018 Queen’s Baton and international route at a major event at Jupiters Gold Coast. The Relay will begin at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, Monday 13 March 2017. From London, the Baton will travel through all 70 nations and territories and every state and territory of Australia over 388 days. Source: Commonwealth Games

Elections in Member Federations

As a tradition, after the Olympic Games elections take place in many Member Federations. The IWF has been recently informed about the following elected officials: Albania: Elez Gjoza re-elected as President Austria: Gerhard Peya re-elected as President Italy: Antonio Urso (President of European Weightlifting Federation) re-elected as President Lebanon: Souheil Mohamad Kaissi elected as President Philippines: Monico O. Puentevella (honorary President of the Asian Weightlifting Federation) elected as President Russia: Maxim Agapitov (World Champion in 1997) elected as President Congratulations and the IWF wishes you all the success for the next Olympiad!

Philippe Saint-Cyr 85!

Philippe Saint-Cyr of Canada, Honorary Life Vice President of the IWF and Member of the Weightlifting Hall of Fame celebrates his 85th birthday today. Happy birthday, Philippe!