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IWF Embraces Better Governance, Adopts New Constitution

Doha, 29 August 2021; During the General meeting today in Doha, the Member Federations of the International Weightlifting Federation voted overwhelmingly to adopt a new, independently-drafted Constitution, that will radically overhaul the IWF’s governance. Of 133 Member Federations represented at the meeting, more than 2/3 voted in favour of the new measures. “It was only in October of last year that the IWF was able to come to consensus around appointing independent members to the Reform and Governance Commission (RGC), a critical step in putting the problems of the past behind us,” said IWF Interim President Dr Michael Irani. “To have adopted an entirely new Constitution after widespread consultation, and in just 10 months during the pandemic, is a real demonstration of the IWF’s determination to move towards a brighter future that is based on solid foundations.” The new Constitution will establish vital principles including athlete representation, gender equality and independent oversight. No fewer than three athlete representatives will serve on the reformed IWF Executive Board, while at least 30% of elected positions will be filled by women. Ethics and discipline issues will be handled independently of the IWF Executive Board, building on interim arrangements that had already been put in place in recent months. Robust eligibility criteria and term limits will ensure that the future IWF Executive Board benefits from a regular influx of new talents and will notably deprive National Federations with a high number of doping cases will not have access to board-level representation. “On behalf of the entire IWF, I would like to sincerely thank all those involved in the creation and refinement of this new constitution,” continued Dr Irani. “Darren Kane, the RGC’s independent chair was tireless in his efforts as were the other independent and IWF members. We are grateful to the ITA, to WADA, to ASOIF and to the IOC for their guidance and of course to our National Federations for having the courage to take this bold step.” Implementing the provisions of the new constitution, the IWF will now move to fresh elections for its Executive Board as soon as is practicable.” The final Constitution will be sent to the Member Federations in the upcoming

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

THE INTERNATIONAL TESTING AGENCY (ITA) REPORTS THAT A SAMPLE COLLECTED FROM BULGARIAN WEIGHTLIFTER YUNDER BEYTULA HAS RETURNED AN ADVERSE ANALYTICAL FINDING (AAF) FOR HUMAN GROWTH HORMONES (HGH) (S2. PEPTIDE HORMONES, GROWTH FACTORS). The ITA reports that a sample collected from Mr. Beytula during an out-of-competition testing mission on 1 July 2021 carried out in Bulgaria on behalf of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for prohibited Human Growth Hormones. The athlete has been notified of the case and the provisional suspension imposed against him on 10 June 2021 by the ITA based on an incident that occurred during an Out-Of-Competition testing mission on 29 December 2020 is maintained until the resolution of the matter. Mr. Beytula has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample. If confirmed, this will potentially be the athlete’s third ADRV as Mr Beytula was previously sanctioned with a period of ineligibility from 11 October 2013 until 11 October 2015 for the presence of prohibited anabolic steroids in a sample collected from him on 25 September 2013 and was charged by the ITA with additional anti-doping rule violations on 10 June 2021 as mentioned above. Should he not accept the consequences provided for under the IWF ADR, he will have the right to ask for a hearing. Pursuant to the IWF’s delegation of its anti-doping program to the ITA, the prosecution of this case is being handled entirely by the ITA. Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing

IWF EB Approves Draft Constitution Ahead of Key Congress

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) today circulated a revised version of its proposed Constitution with a view to securing approval for it at the forthcoming resumption of the IWF's Constitution Reform Congress on 29 August in Doha. The draft Constitution was approved by the Reform and Governance Commission on 13 August and by the IWF Executive Board on 15 August. "After the IWF's Member Federations approved the Constitution in principle during the first part of our Constitution Reform Congress, the IWF is grateful to the independent experts and others in the Reform and Governance Commission, under the leadership of Darren Kane, for taking the time to make the revisions necessary to ensure the Constitution can achieve the required two thirds majority when we reconvene," said IWF Interim President Dr Michael Irani. "This version also reflects lengthy discussions on our future governance before and even during the weightlifting competitions of Tokyo 2020 aimed at achieving consensus." Revisions to the draft Constitution, which can be found here, include increased women's representation on the future IWF Executive Board and increased representation for athletes. Considering the importance of athlete representation, there will also be a voting presence for athletes within the Congress. "Taken together, the provisions of this new Constitution represent a very significant improvement in the IWF's governance, an improvement that would see the IWF ranked more favourably in the ASOIF governance survey alongside our Olympic counterparts," continued Dr Irani. "The IWF urges its member federations to examine the document carefully and to come to Doha fully prepared to make the changes required to ensure weightlifting's Olympic

IWF Launches New Website On The Day Of The Tokyo 2020 Opening Ceremony

On the day of the Opening Ceremony of Tokyo 2020, the International Weightlifting Federation has launched its new website, which can be found on iwf.sport. With the launch of this new website, IWF joined the effort made by the IOC, Tokyo 2020 and others to boost digital engagement for the Olympic competitions, with iwf.sport featuring a special Tokyo 2020 section.“We are very pleased to be able to make our own contribution to the way people will interact online with weightlifting at Tokyo 2020 and beyond, with the launch of this new website,” said IWF President Dr Michael Irani. “Weightlifting is universally accessible and universally useful, helping people to build and maintain strength throughout life. In order to best promote weightlifting, we must take full advantage of the incredible opportunity that is the Olympic Games. We will also bring to life the stories of our athletes, our World Championships and other events.”Throughout Tokyo 2020, a dedicated IWF team will be onsite, together with other broadcasters and media. They will report on the resonant stories of the sport, like the participation of TOUA Loa Dika (PNG) who in Sydney 2000 became the first woman to lift on an Olympic platform. The use of iwf.sport sees the IWF join a number of other International Federations in migrating to the .sport platform, which was secured for dedicated use by the sports movement by

IOC elects Brisbane 2032 as Olympic and Paralympic host

July 21, 2021 International Olympic Committee Members today voted to elect Brisbane 2032 as host of the Games of the XXXV Olympiad.   The secret ballot was held at the 138th Session in Tokyo, two days before the Opening Ceremony for the Olympic Games, under strict COVID-19 restrictions. The Session heard presentations by Brisbane 2032, including by video link-up from Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, as well as a final report from Kristin Kloster, Chair of the Future Host Commission for the Games of the Olympiad – the IOC body responsible for monitoring and analysing interest in hosting the Olympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games. Brisbane received 72 yes and 5 no votes from 77 valid votes. Before the vote, IOC Members were able to pose questions to Mrs Kloster about the election process, and to Brisbane 2032 about their  proposal to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane and South-East Queensland. IOC President Thomas Bach said: “We encourage Olympic Games projects which are sustainable and economically responsible, which deliver the best possible Games experience for athletes and fans, and which leave solid legacies for local communities. “The Brisbane 2032 vision and Games plan fit into long-term regional and national strategies for social and economic development in Queensland and Australia, and complement the goals for the Olympic Movement outlined in Olympic Agenda 2020 and 2020+5, while focusing on providing memorable sports experiences for athletes and fans. “Today’s vote is a vote of trust that Brisbane and Queensland will stage magnificent Olympic and Paralympic Games 2032. We have heard a lot of positive feedback from IOC Members and International Federations in the past few months. Brisbane 2032 is the first future host to have been elected under, and to have fully benefited from, the new flexible approach to electing Olympic hosts. The reforms enable the IOC to work in partnership with cities, regions and countries, to encourage Olympic projects which use a high percentage of existing and temporary venues, which align with long-term development plans, and which have a strong vision for sports and local communities. President Bach said: “This new approach is lighter, more collaborative, more compact, and has a positive impact. Now we always have a significant pool of Interested Parties for 2036, and even for 2040, which is almost 20 years from now. I can’t remember that we have ever been in such a favourable position 20 years before an Olympic Games. “We enter Tokyo 2020 with full confidence for the future of the Olympic Movement.” Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Scott Morrison MP, said: “said: “The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Queensland will forge an enduring legacy for our entire nation. They will support economic growth and investment, deliver lasting community benefits and inspire the next generation of Australian athletes. “I am proud of Australia, proud of Queensland and proud of our team that secured this win for our country. “The Commonwealth Government has supported Brisbane’s candidacy for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games right from the very start. We believe in this bid. “We know it’s a huge opportunity for our nation, just like the Melbourne Games in 1956 and the Sydney Olympics in 2000.” Following the election, the Host Contract 2032 was signed by the Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, Premier of Queensland and Minister for Trade, Councillor Adrian Schrinner, the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Brisbane, and Mr John Coates AC, President of the Australian Olympic Committee. Ms Palaszczuk said: “Queensland’s fundamental approach is to align Games legacy with long-term plans. “We will work with all three levels of government to embed Games legacy opportunities in existing programmes and will create a special Games Legacy Fund. “This is to ensure the effective delivery of legacy over the next 10 years – and the 10 years after that. “That means we develop not just a new generation of Olympic athletes, but we give our small businesses the opportunity to participate too, grow their business and export to the world.” Councillor Schrinner added: “Local government leaders began this incredible journey, and now it is our job to ensure that Brisbane 2032 delivers a legacy to everyone who calls South-East Queensland home. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the fastest growing capital city in Australia, and successful Olympic and Paralympic Games will help our region cater for the growth to come and guarantees Brisbane will get even better.” Since approving the new approach to electing in June 2019, IOC Members have been engaged and consulted throughout the process.  Mrs Kloster had delivered three previous reports to the Session, most recently in March of this year, when she presented a detailed Future Host Commission report and Feasibility Assessment. After receiving the report in March this year, the Session supported the decision to conduct a Targeted Dialogue with Brisbane 2032. A second, in-camera briefing with IOC Members took place in June, as part of regular consultations between the IOC and Members. This meeting replaced what used to be known as the Members’ technical briefing, and incorporated a comprehensive presentation by the Brisbane 2032 team and the Australian Olympic Committee. Members also heard from Mrs Kloster about the in-depth analysis of the project carried out through Targeted Dialogue, at the end of which Brisbane 2032 put forward a Final Submission in response to the IOC’s Future Host Questionnaire, setting out its vision and technical ambitions for hosting the Games. This led to the Future Host Commission Report and the Commission’s recommendation to put forward Brisbane 2032 for election – endorsed by an IOC Executive Board decision. Early reports indicate that Brisbane 2032 has spent approximately 80 per cent less than for the average candidate city budgets for the Games in 2020, 2024 and 2028. This will be confirmed in due course by audited accounts – a requirement of the election process. An Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG) will be formed in the coming months. For news about Brisbane 2032, follow @olympics and #brisbane2032 on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and sign up for email alerts at olympics.com

2021 ELEIKO International Email Club Tournament

The ELEIKO International Email Club Weightlifting Tournament is back on track. This year it will be held on the first weekend of August between the 6th – 8th. The Oceania Weightlifting Federation invites all the Clubs that would like to participate and join the Tournament. Information and participation requirements of the Tournament are as follows: -The Club must be affiliated to the National Weightlifting Federation of your country; -There is no limit to the number of competitors. The club will be able to register as many lifters as they wish, both men and women; -Lifters must be 13 years old or over. Lifters/Clubs can submit entries in the following IWF categories: MEN: 55,61,67,73,81,89,96,102,109, +109 WOMEN: 45,49,55,59,64,71,76,81,87,+87 For the men's prizes, the organization announced 1 set of ELEIKO training weights of 190Kg each, sponsored by ELEIKO, which will be awarded to the First, Second, and Third Club that obtains the highest number of points according to IWF rules (only for the Total). As for the women, winners will be awarded 1 set of ELEIKO training weights of 185 kg each, sponsored by ELEIKO, following the same rules. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Athletes in each category will receive medals (only for the Total).  Medals will be sent to each Club once the complete results are finalized and the competition will be refereed by a senior Club official. All Clubs should note that, in order to participate in this Tournament, it is the participating Clubs’ responsibility to ensure that their lifters, who will be competing, are fully covered by medical insurance against any injury, accident or damage to health, including in transit to/from the competition venue and must assume financial responsibility for any hospitalization and related