News

Colombia and USA Dominate Pan American Weightlifting

(ATR) The first Pan American Weightlifting Championship organized in person in more than a year confirms that Colombia and the United States lead the way in the sport on the continent. Colombia garnered the most gold medals with a total of 22. Fourteen continental records were established, five of them by Colombians. US women also set five in the event held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. While Colombian men won 19 golds, the USA women topped the podium 13 times during the competition organized from April 19 to 25 by the Dominican Federation with the endorsement of the Pan American Weightlifting Federation (FPLP). In the general table, Colombia won 43 medals (22-11-10) followed by the USA with 39 (15-11-13). In the classification of teams by points, in men Colombia was first (706), followed by Cuba (675) and USA (628). In women, USA (762), Colombia (692) and Mexico (628). More than 250 competitors from 24 countries were back competing together after more than a year of absence due to the coronavirus pandemic that forced the postponement of this continental championship in 2020. According to William Osuna, president of the Dominican Federation, the biosafety measures adopted by the organizers were complied with and no case of Covid-19 was registered. The event was a Gold Level IWF rated competition that allowed athletes to accumulate valuable points to be added to the final rankings with a view to the Tokyo Olympics. The competition also opened the qualifying process for the Central American and Caribbean Games, which will be held in either Mayaguez (Puerto Rico) in 2022 or San Salvador (El Salvador) in 2023. A decision will be made in the next few days. Canadian Maude Charron (64 kg) and Colombian Jhonatan Rivas (96 kg) were selected the most outstanding weightlifters for the level of their records. The president of the Colombian Federation, William Peña, believed that Colombian weightlifting is preparing "the best performance in history" at the Tokyo Olympic Games. For the president of the Pan American Federation, José Quiñones, having been able to carry out the postponed Pan American Championship in Santo Domingo “with great success” is the first aspect to highlight. Quiñones also praised the marks made by athletes that bring them closer to the Olympic classification, despite the period of more than a year of international inactivity. As of May 9, the South American and Ibero-American Championships and a World Open will be organized in Cali, Colombia, in which the classifications must be outlined with a view to Tokyo. Source: ATR - Miguel

Revised Olympic Qualification System for Weightlifting at Tokyo 2020 Published

Lausanne, 5 May 2021; The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) yesterday welcomed the publication of the revised Olympic Qualification System, developed in agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Adjustments had become necessary in order to reflect the circumstances of the pandemic. “As Tokyo 2020 approaches, athletes deserve as much certainty as we can all provide for them. The IWF would like to thank the IOC for approving a revised Olympic Qualification System for weightlifting that will contribute to this kind of certainty,” said IWF Interim President Dr Michael Irani. “The revised Olympic Qualification System also stays true to the principles that brought widespread praise: clean nations will still be rewarded with the greatest possible opportunities to qualify athletes. Qualifying lifters must also have competed regularly across a significant period of time, ensuring they are subject to appropriate in-competition and out-of-competition doping controls.” Weightlifters must still have competed during two key periods, the first from 1 November 2018 to 30 April 2019 and the second from 1 May 2019 to 31 October 2019. The number of events at which athletes must have competed, however, has been reduced from six to four, reflecting the limited opportunities to compete in the third period of qualifying, which started on 1 November 2019 and concludes on 31 May 2021. In addition, the mandatory participation in the third period has been excluded from the eligibility requirements. In line with the above the calculation of the Absolute Ranking Points has been modified in the following way: “At the end of the qualification period; an athlete’s final Absolute Ranking Points; subject to participation in one (1) event in the same Olympic category will be drawn from four (4) results (ROBI points for Total results only): two (2) results, best result from Period 1 and best result from Period 2 (as per Paragraph C. 2. c) ii) and; two (2) next best results from Period 1, Period 2, or Period 3 (as per Paragraph C. 2. c) ii).” A copy of the revised Olympic Qualification System can be found here: ENG / FRE The current IWF rankings can be found here:

IWF Constitution Consultation – Booklet

Preparations for the IWF Constitutional Congress, to start on 30 June, continue quickly and effectively. Many IWF Member Federations and Stakeholders provided proposals and comments on the draft Constitution and these can now be found here. You can also find the original draft Constitution here. During the Constitutional Congress, the draft constitution approved by the Reform and Governance Commission and drafted by its independent expert members will be presented for adoption. Where there are alternatives, based on differences between the draft constitution and the proposals provided by Member Federations, there will be a discussion and a vote. “It is clear that the IWF is at a turning point and there are significant expectations that we will come together to take advantage of this opportunity to show to the world our commitment towards reform,” said Interim IWF President Dr Michael Irani, in a letter to IWF Member Federations.

Version 2 of Tokyo 2020 Playbook Released

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 (Tokyo 2020) have today launched the second editions of the Tokyo 2020 Playbooks, with the version for Athletes and Team Officials. Building on February’s publication, the new Playbooks provide more specific details to participants about the countermeasures that will help ensure safe and successful Games for all those taking part and the residents of Tokyo and Japan. Some of the key measures in the Playbooks can be found in the five-party joint statement. The countermeasures detailed in the Playbooks are based on science, benefiting from learnings gathered during the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to implementing the most effective tools being used throughout society, such as screening testing, mask wearing, personal hygiene and physical distancing, they also draw upon the experience of hundreds of sports events that have taken place safely across the world over the past year, with minimal risk to participants and the local population. The Playbooks have been developed through the ongoing work of the All-Partners Task Force, which includes the Government of Japan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the IOC, IPC, World Health Organization and independent experts and organisations from across the world. Speaking about the Playbooks, IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Tokyo and Japan have accepted the unprecedented challenge of organising the first postponed Olympic and Paralympic Games in history. We thank them for their great work in this respect and, as partners, we understand the great responsibility that everyone attending the Games must accept so that all participants and the Japanese population remain safe. This is why we have created the Playbooks, based on science and the best medical and event expertise available to us.” He continued: “Providing more details about the operations that stakeholders can expect at Games time, we have also remained flexible to the evolving global situation, combining numerous countermeasures to create the safest possible environment. Increased testing for athletes and stakeholders, before and during the Games, is one important example. We’re also encouraged by the growing number of vaccinations being administered throughout the world. These tools will only work, however, if everyone shows solidarity and follows the guidelines. This is why those violating the rules can expect to be strictly dealt with in Tokyo. This is our commitment to the people of Tokyo and Japan, who are so kindly welcoming us to their city and country this summer.” IPC President Andrew Parsons said: “With the support of the world’s leading experts in health and sport event delivery, the updated Playbooks offer greater information for everyone attending the Tokyo 2020 Games, outlining the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. “As with the first editions, special considerations for persons with disabilities are included in all Playbooks, and I believe the stringent measures outlined will offer reassurance and comfort to all Games stakeholders, as well as the people of Japan. We are taking every possible measure to deliver safe Games.” Tokyo 2020 President Hashimoto Seiko said: “The COVID-19 countermeasures included in the first edition of the Playbooks [published February 2021] have been reviewed and significantly updated in order to address the evolving situation of the pandemic. Rules to be observed by all Games participants during their stay in Japan have been expanded and clarified to include further details to ensure safe and secure Games. “It is important that all stakeholders fully understand these rules, and that each and every one arrives in Japan with the understanding that their cooperation is critical to the success of the Games. We will hold online briefings for each of our stakeholder groups to ensure clear and comprehensive communication on these points.” One of the key updates in this version of the Playbooks details daily testing, in principle, for athletes and those in regular contact with them, which will be a crucial part of minimising transmission and the risk of an uncontrolled outbreak. Testing will be used for general screening and for those identified as a close contact of a positive case; as well as for diagnosis for those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. The latest Playbooks also outline the role of COVID-19 Liaison Officers (CLOs), to be appointed by each stakeholder, who will work very closely with Tokyo 2020 and Japanese health authorities. They will receive extensive training to enable them to play a key role throughout the Games, providing an essential support network for their delegation. The CLOs will ensure all members of their organisation are fully informed of the contents of their relevant Playbooks. In addition, they will be monitoring the implementation of all COVID-19 countermeasures, ensuring participants follow their detailed activity plans and managing any positive cases that are detected. The publication of version two of the Playbooks builds upon the optimisation and simplification of operational plans, reduced delegations from all Olympic and Paralympic Movement stakeholders, and the decision and announcement in March by the Japanese side, and respected and accepted by the IOC and IPC, to not allow spectators from overseas to enter Japan. In acknowledging the evolving COVID-19 situation around the world, the IOC, IPC and Tokyo 2020 reinforced their commitment to regularly update the Playbooks. They will continue to receive regular input from the All-Partners Task Force, taking into account the latest advances in science and developments on the ground, in close collaboration with experts. As part of this ongoing evolution, the next version of the Playbooks (which is expected to be final) will be published in June 2021. Playbook Edition 2- publication dates Athletes and Team Officials: 28 April International Federations, Broadcasters, Press, Marketing Partners: 30 April Olympic Family and Workforce: Week of 3 May

Joint Statement by the IOC, IPC, Tokyo 2020, Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Government of Japan

With 86 days left until the opening of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and 118 days left until the opening of the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Government of Japan today agreed on the following measures to ensure the safe organisation of the Games. The five parties will continue to deploy all possible COVID-19 countermeasures and place the highest priority on safety for the sake of all participants, including the athletes, and the Japanese public who will be playing host to the Games. 1. The COVID-19 countermeasures included in the Playbooks (rulebooks) published in February this year have since been reviewed and significantly updated in order to address the emergence of new mutant coronavirus strains and the evolving situation of the pandemic. New rules that have to be observed by everyone involved in the Games during their stay in Japan have been incorporated, and others updated, so that the Tokyo 2020 Games can be held safely. The most important measures, which were agreed by all the five parties today, appear in the second edition of the Playbooks and are as follows: All participants are required to take two COVID-19 tests before their flight to Japan. In principle, athletes and all those in close proximity with athletes will be tested daily to minimise the risk of undetected positive cases that could transmit the virus. The dates and times will be set in line with the sports events and schedule. All other Games participants will be tested daily for three days after their arrival. After the first three days and throughout their stay, they will be tested regularly, based on the operational nature of their role and level of contact with athletes. All Games participants must, in principle, only follow the activities they have outlined in their activity plan. They must minimise contact within one metre of Games participants who have already been in Japan for more than 14 days, and Japanese residents. All Games participants must, in principle, exclusively use dedicated Games vehicles, and they are not allowed to use public transport. All Games participants must, in principle, eat only in the limited locations where COVID-19 countermeasures are in place, including catering facilities at Games venues, their accommodation's restaurant, and their rooms, using room service or food delivery. Close contacts are defined as those who have prolonged contact (for 15 minutes or more) with a person who has a confirmed positive COVID-19 test, within one metre, without wearing a face mask. This is particularly applicable when such contact happens in enclosed spaces such as hotel rooms or vehicles. Cases will be confirmed by the Japanese health authorities. The Playbooks have been developed based on science, benefiting from learnings gathered during the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to implementing the most effective tools being used throughout society, such as mask wearing, personal hygiene and physical distancing, they also draw upon the experience of hundreds of sports events that have taken place across the world during the pandemic, which have been held safely, with minimal risk to participants and the local population. They are based on the ongoing work of the All Partners Task Force, which includes the Government of Japan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the IOC, IPC, World Health Organization and independent experts and organisations from across the world. A third version of the Playbooks is expected to be published in June. As with all the previous versions, it will take the latest scientific developments into consideration. 2. As we look into the evolving situation with the domestic infections status involving new strains, we have agreed that a decision regarding spectator capacity at the Olympic and Paralympic venues will be made in June, in line with the government’s general guidance concerning the upper limit of spectator capacity in sports events. This follows the significant decision in March, when the IOC and IPC were informed about the conclusion of the Japanese parties not to allow entry into Japan for overseas spectators for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 due to the prevailing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the IOC, the IPC and Tokyo 2020 continue to work on optimising the number of participants attending the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. We are confident that compliance with these regulations will ensure the safety and security of athletes, Games officials and spectators, as well as the people of Tokyo, other host locations and Japan. We are already entering the operational phase. All parties at today’s meeting renewed their full commitment to safe and secure Games for all participants and the Japanese people.

Magnificent and Exciting results at the Asian Championships!

The ongoing Asian Championships which are being held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 17th to 25th April 2021 so far has had a total of 15 World Records and 26 Asian records broken. The event is a Gold Level competition for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the Athletes are trying to gather valuable points to add to the final ranking for the Games. In 49kg category Women, Chinese Hou Zhihui has broken the Asian and World records with 96kg in Snatch and 213kg in the Total. Whilst in Clean and Jerk her opponent, Mirabai Chanu Saikhom from India set the Asian and World records by lifting 119kg. In the 59kg category for Women, Kuo Hsing-Chun from Chinese Taipei lifted 110kg in Snatch and 247kg in the Total setting new World and Asian records. In the Men's 73kg category, China's Shi Zhyoung broke the Asian and World records with a result of 169kg in Snatch. Two Chinese lifters competing in the 81kg category for Men set new World and Asian records in Snatch.  Lyu Xiaojun set the new mark of 174kg only to see it being broken again  by his teammate, Li Dayin lifting with 175kg. In 102kg category for Men, Bekbolat Rakhat from Kazakhstan eclipsed 4 youth World records, with 206kg in Jerk and 379kg in the Total and then further improving this result with a 213kg Jerk and computing 386kg in Total. He also broke new Asian youth records in Snatch, Jerk and Total. On the penultimate day featuring the 109kg category for Men, Yang Zhe from China lifted 200kg in Snatch resulting in new World and Asian records while Uzbekistan's Ruslan Nurudinov, on home ground, achieved a 241kg Jerk and 429kg Total, setting  new World and Asian records  just broken minutes before by the other local competitor, Akbar Djuraev who managed 428kg.Total. After the pandemics, lockdowns, postponed competitions it is so encouraging to see such fabulous person to person high level competition before the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in which Asian athletes achieved fantastic results and signalling to the World they are ready for Tokyo. The Asian Championships attracted a totals of 186 athletes from 26 countries and we congratulate and thank the Uzbekistan Federation for a wonderful organisation of the event which is now in its last day. April 25 will see the closing of the Championships with the Women's +87kg category and the Men's +109kg category with the hope of seeing more Asian and World