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Tokyo 2020 to Utilize Hydrogen for Games Cauldron and Relay Torch

The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) yesterday announced that for the first time in the history of the Games, hydrogen will be used to power both the Olympic and Paralympic Cauldrons in Tokyo and the Torch during part of its journey through Japan. During its preparations for the Games, Tokyo 2020 has consistently promoted energy conservation and the use of renewable energy with the aim of supporting the realization of a carbon-neutral society, embracing sustainability as one of its core principles. As part of this initiative, Tokyo 2020 has been investigating the use of hydrogen energy; hydrogen emits no CO2 when it is burned and is therefore expected to be a key weapon in the battle to achieve a low-carbon economy. Tokyo 2020 has already deployed about 500 hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles and will take its use of hydrogen one symbolic step further by this use of it as fuel for the Cauldron and the Torch. It will include hydrogen produced in a renewable energy sourced production facility in Namie-cho, Fukushima Prefecture, embodying it with further significance as a new energy for a future full of hope. These initiatives symbolise the overall effort being made to promote and practice sustainability in the preparations for and operation of the Tokyo 2020 Games. They will also help to convey to the world the progress towards recovery being made by the disaster-hit areas in the Tohoku

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

IWF reports that the sample of Mr. Vadzim LIKHARAD (BLR) has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for Dehydrochoromethyl-testosterone (S1.1A Exogenous AAS). 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 closed.

IWF-IOC Solidarity coaching course in Albania

A 5-day IWF-IOC Solidarity Coaching course was held in Tirana, Albania. The successful theoretical and practical course was attended by 20 coaches from Albania and Kosovo. The keynote speaker was Tamas Feher. The theoretical and practical topics included principals of weightlifting training, anatomy, building strength, talent and selection for weightlifting, technical practices for beginners, training planning and much more. A 2 hours long Anti-Doping lesson was also presented. The participants took a 25-question exam, which was taken successfully by all the 20

IWF Acts Decisively to Restore Reputation

Doha, 22 January 2020; Meeting in Doha yesterday, an extraordinary meeting of the IWF Executive Board (EB) responded to allegations made by a television report that aired on Germany’s ARD, and acted decisively to restore the IWF’s reputation. A point-by-point analysis of the allegations was considered by the IWF Executive Board before it entered into comprehensive discussions and decided on a detailed plan of action. Consistent with the principle at the heart of the IWF’s successful and widely-welcomeds recent anti-doping reforms, the IWF will now convene a group of independent experts to assess the validity of the ARD allegations. This work is expected to be completed during a 90-day period, starting immediately. “The ARD’s allegations against the IWF in general and against me in particular are unfounded. They are not supported by the relevant documentation or by people involved in the relevant decisions. Consequently, I have no doubt that external experts will vindicate my commitment of nearly fifty years to develop the sport of weightlifting,” said IWF President Tamas Ajan. For the 90-day period, and consistent with the practice of good governance, IWF President Tamas Ajan has delegated a range of operational responsibilities to IWF Vice President Ursula Papandrea, who will temporarily serve alongside Ajan in an Acting President role. “Weightlifting has always been bigger than one man, and I am happy to have Ursula acting by my side me in a presidential capacity. The EB and I know that she will do a great job of ensuring that the validity of these allegations is examined and established in a way that is beyond criticism,” said Ajan. Papandrea will now head an ad hoc Oversight and Integrity Commission whose responsibilities will include identifying, nominating and recommending independent experts in fields including anti-doping and financial reporting. The experts will be appointed by the IWF EB. Serving alongside Papandrea on the commission will be fellow EB members H.E Marcus Stephen, Birendra Prasad Baishya and Karoliina Lundahl. The Oversight and Integrity Commission will also ensure the provision of an interim report to the meetings of the IWF Executive Board and IWF Congress, scheduled for Bucharest on March