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Anti-Doping Chief Calls for More Blood Testing to Catch ‘Cheats’

Athletes using performance- enhancing drugs such as human growth hormone are “getting away with it” because not enough blood testing is being done, the president of the World Anti-Doping Agency said. In 2010, WADA accredited laboratories analyzed 258,267 samples taken from in- and out-of-competition testing worldwide. Out of that amount, “effectively only 5,000” were blood samples, WADA president John Fahey said in an interview in Lausanne, Switzerland, where the doping agency has a regional office. The rest of the testing was done on urine samples. In 2010, there were only 3 positive cases of human growth hormone (HGH), according to statistics on the WADA website. HGH can only be detected in blood. HGH is considered a performance-enhancing drug because of its ability to grow muscle and aid recovery after training, while not being detectable in urine, unlike anabolic steroids. A test for HGH was first introduced at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Read more here:

World Weightlifting’s 2011 Best Lifters received Trophies in Moscow ceremony

Two Russian athletes, Svetlana TSARUKAEVA and Khadzhimurat AKKAEV were voted to be the Best Lifters of 2011 by the readership of World Weightlifting and the weightlifting public all over the world. Both outstanding weightlifters received the ” Jenő Boskovics Lifter of the Year Challenge Trophy” at a ceremony held in Moscow, at the prestigious Radisson Hotel Ukrajna. The presenters were Dr Tamas Ajan, IWF President, and Kornél Jancsó, Editor-in-Chief. The Russian media, TV and writing press, covered the ceremony and the subsequent Press Conference. The President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation, Sergey Syrtsovinvited many international dignitaries. Both athletes, world champions of Paris 2011, confirmed that they were extremely happy and proud of this proof of popularity among the public. As we reported earlier, a record number of 805 ballots came in at the online voting from 63 countries of the world and both Tsarukaeva and Akkaev took the first places with a great majority. Initiated by the late Editor-in-Chief of the IWF magazine Jenő Boskovics, the election of the Lifters of the Year looks back on 30 years of history and for the last two years a Challenge Trophy bears his

The world of weightlifting is mourning the death of Oleksander Putsov

The IWF was saddened to learn about the untimely death of Mr. Oleksander Putsov, General Secretary of the Ukrainian Weightlifting Federation. He was a renowned expert, coach and University Professor of the sport of weightlifting, and he enjoyed recognition both inside and outside his country, Ukraine. He served many Olympic Games, World and European Championships in a capacity of Technical Official and regularly worked as an expert at various coaching and technical clinics. Just recently at the IWF Paris Congress, his services were recognized with the IWF Award of Merit. He died at the age of 57. His departure is a real tragedy to the weightlifting sport. The International Weightlifting Federation wishes to express its deepest condolences to the Ukrainian Weightlifting Federation and community as well as to Mr. Oleksander Putsov’s

Technical Visit prior to the JWC in Antigua Guatemala

Ms. Eva Moska and Mr. Attila Adamfi made a Technical Visit prior to the Junior World Championships & Pan-American Championships / Continental Olympic Qualification Event to be held in Antigua Guatemala from 10-18 May 2012. The IWF delegates were impressed by the beautiful city and outstanding conditions provided by the Organizers. All necessary arrangements will be finalized in order to best meet the expectations of such competition. The main facilities like the venue and accommodations are within walking distance. The IWF delegates had a meeting with the Organizing Committee in Antigua Guatemala and had the opportunity to meet representatives of each key area. The Organizers are supported by the Guatemalan Olympic Committee and also on a governmental level giving guarantee for a high standard Event. On the occasion of their visit, the IWF delegates paid a visit to the Guatemalan Weightlifting Federation’s gym and headquarters. Please note that the deadline to send your Final Entry Forms before 8 April

IOC Commissions Membership

The International Olympic Committee reviewed the membership of its various commissions for the year 2012. On this occasion, Dr. Tamas Ajan’s, IWF President’s mandate was confirmed as Member of the IOC Sport for All Commission and Member of the IOC International Relations Commission. At the same time, Alain Lunzenfichter, Chairman of the IWF Press Commission entered the IOC Press Commission as a

Canadian police charge man with trafficking steroids

GUELPH — An online advertisement offering steroids for sale has led to a Cambridge man facing charges. Earlier this month, Guelph Police became aware of a Kijiji advertisement offering steroids for sale. Police arranged to meet with a man in connection with the advertisement in the parking lot of a Guelph gym. The man was searched and police found and seized four different steroids worth about $655 on the street. A 21-year-old man from Cambridge man is charged with two counts of trafficking a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. He will appear in court in April.