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President’s Cup preview

Many long-term programs supporting sport and healthy life style have been accepted in Russian Federation on federal and regional levels. The confirmation of these words is the order signed by the President of Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev on third of February 2011, „on establishing the Russian Federation President's Cup." President of Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev said: „Achievements in this area prove the fact that crisis period in Russian sport progress is close to the end. Our sportsmen have huge potential." After their excellent results at the 2011 IWF World Weightlifting Championships Paris, France it is time to prove the President's words. IWF Grand Prix President's Cup is held from 16-18 December in Belgorod, the birth place of Dmitry Medvedev. (Belgorod is a city 600 km away from Moscow and 40 km distance from Ukrainian border.) The competition is held in the Training Sport Complex named after two times Olympic (1996, 2000) and nine times World champion gymnast Svetlana Khorkina born in Belgorod. „This event follows the traditions of „Druzhba" (Friendship) Cup after 20 years long break" - said Sergey Syrtsov, President of Russian Weightlifting Federation. "The initiative to run the Cup was met with great enthusiasm and recognition in Russia and all over the world" - he added. All relevant information can be found on the IWF

Former Olympic Bronze Medallist Bochenek died at age 80

Polish weightlifter Jan Bochenek who competed in Garrison WKS Lodz (1951-1959) and Legia Warsaw (1960-1962), where his coach was Joseph Styczyński died at the age of 80. Multible European and World Championships medalist, he won the third place at the 1960 Olympic Games. Five times Polish Champion Bochenek set up 18 national records in total. He had his most dramatic contest for a medal in Melbourne Olympics in 1956, where he took 4th place in the middleweight class loosing the bronze because he was heavier than his Italian rival by 40 decagrams. Jan Bochenek became a the first class coach working for the Polish National Team at many World Championships and at the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988.He was Master of Sport (1960), twice decorated Silver Medal for Outstanding Achievements in Sports, Golden Cross of Merit (1960) and the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polish Rebirth (1988). He was a lieutenant colonel in the Polish Army. Jan Bochenek was a quiet, likeable and good-natured man, died after a serious illness. The IWF offers its deep condolences to his family and the Polish Weightlifting

Weightlifting Test Event came to end in ExCel

The event designed primarily for London 2012 and the International Weightlifting Federation run smoothly and gave great contentment and high satisfaction to both organizations. The last day of the Test Event's action saw Hungarian Peter Nagy claim victory in the Men's +105kg category with a Total of 396kg. Dovhal won the Women's +75kg with 255kg. After his victory, Peter Nagy said: "It was a heartwarming feeling to listen to the Hungarian National anthem at the medal ceremony from the top of the podium. It gives me confidence and motivates me to put all my efforts into obtaining a quota for the 2012 London Games." Great Britain head coach Tamas Feher has hailed the experience his weightlifting squad has gained with just seven months remaining until next summer's Olympic Games. All of the home interest when it came to weightlifting took place in two of the four selected categories. As well as Perdue and Kirkbride, Sonny Webster also recorded a personal best total of 293kg but Smith was forced to pull out as a precaution due to a recurrence of her niggling back injury. David Luckes, Head of Head of Sport Competition from LOCOG said: "The London Prepares Series Weightlifting Test Event was a major stepping stone for us in the preparation for London next year. We had very successful cooperation with IWF through the planning and preparation for this event, and ensured that the key testing areas of ensuring the field of play, volunteers and workforce were given a great workout. We look forward to building upon this Test Event to ensure that next summer, in ExCeL, we can stage a truly fantastic Olympic Weightlifting competition for the athletes, spectators and viewers

Test Event on track

Competitions started today at the London Prepares Weightlifting International Invitational with Women's 69kg and Men's 94kg bodyweight categories. After almost 6 years of planning, LOCOG together with the IWF is pleased to see the sport taking the stage and having all details prepared cautiously fell into place. Athletes can now feel the Olympic spirit, and get closer to the environment and conditions to be ensured for the upcoming Olympic Games. Participants enjoy lifting the weights on the 25 platforms displayed in the training and the 12 in the warm-up area and are impressed by the Olympic venue Excel. "This competition gives all weightlifters and officials the chance to experience being associated within the dynamics of an Olympic environment"- said David Luckes, Head of Sport Competition from LOCOG. Women's 69kg Podium: 1. SUWANNARATANA Wiriya (THA) Total: 240kg 2. KANG Yue (CHN) Total: 240kg 3. KASIRYE Ruth (NOR) Total: 219kg Men's 94kg Podium: 1. ZAIROV Intigam (AZE) Total: 377kg 2. LI Bing (CHN) Total: 362kg 3. MATAM MATAM David (FRA) Total:

His Royal Highness the Emir of Qatar declared the Doha Arab Games 2011 open

His Royal Highness the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani inaugurated the 12th Arab Games 2011, held at Khalifa International Stadium on Friday evening. The ceremony was attended by around 40,000 fans. The field had 86 projectors that covered 12,600 square meters. Representing 22 countries 2500 athletes marched contesting in the Arab Games 2011. After all the delegations lined up on the field, singer Asala Nasri sang a song made especially for the competition called "A Dream of a Championship" that celebrates the sports people participating in the Arab Games. The official opening ceremony started a little while after that when His Royal Highness the Emir declared the Doha Arab Games 2011 open. IWF President Dr. Tamás Aján was in Doha to watch Weightlifting competitions to be held in the Tennis Indoor Hall at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Doha from 13-17

Weightlifting Test Event started today with meetings

The' London Prepares' Weightlifting Test Event has a key role in helping the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) test its operations ahead of next year's Olympic Games. The event officially started today with the following meetings: the Verification of Final Entries, the Technical Congress and the Technical Officials Meeting. According to the Start List, 43 lifters from 20 countries will showcase the spectacular sport of weightlifting in one of the largest venues in Europe: Excel on 10-11 December 2011. Upon this occasion London 2012 will also be keen to see how the field of play, the timing and scoring plus the operation of the workforce are measuring up. According to Weightlifting Manager Matthew Curtain, "this significant competition will give the unique opportunity to validate the current planning, crystalise operations and rehearse Game-time deliverables". Having worked in close collaboration with LOCOG since 2005, IWF President Dr. Tamás Aján said: "The IWF has been overwhelmed with the level of technical expertise, committed work ethic, professional leadership and genuine enthusiasm displayed by its executive workforce". The Weightlifting Test Event will be without any doubt an outstanding and memorable experience for all participants. We wish you the very best of