News

IWF Welcomes CAS Decision To Uphold Suspension Of Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has welcomed a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to largely uphold the suspension of the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Federation. The suspension followed extensive anti-doping rule violations by Thai weightlifters in 2018. One Thai weightlifter at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games tested positive for exogenous testosterone in October and nine tested positive for exogenous testosterone at the IWF World Weightlifting Championships in November of 2018. Twenty targeted tests conducted at a training camp in October 2018 returned no fewer than fifteen adverse analytical findings. “CAS clearly agreed with the IWF that the widespread nature of doping by athletes under the auspices of the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Federation, including no less than half its delegation to the 2018 IWF World Weightlifting Championships, merited sanctions at the upper end of the available range,” said IWF President Dr Michael Irani. “We will now work with our partners at the International Testing Agency (ITA) to ensure that there is proper education for TAWA’s athletes and coaches and believe this CAS decision should serve as a reminder of the IWF’s firm commitment towards clean sport.” The full award can be

2021 IWF Junior World Championships – Tashkent (UZB)

After decision of the IWF Executive Board, the 2021 IWF Junior World Championships will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan between 21-31 May 2021. The updated program of the Competition is planned as follows: 21-22 May 2021 IWF Executive Board Meeting 23-31 May 2021 Competition Since the dates of the competition did not change, only the host country, the previously submitted preliminary list (LONG LIST) will be considered for the competition. The countries are able to finalize the number of competing athletes from their country until 21 April 2021, however, new athletes can not be added to the list. According to the IWF TCRR, the final number of competitors can only be a maximum of 10 athletes (+ 2 Reserves) per gender, which shall be selected by the Final Entry deadline (21 April 2021). Athletes shall also comply with the Anti-Doping requirements and rules of the IWF in regards to World Championships as follows: In accordance with article 5.5.16 of the IWF Anti-Doping Rules 2021 whereabouts information of the athletes shall be submitted at minimum three (3) months prior to the event. Athletes who wish to compete at the IWF Junior World Championships shall submit their whereabouts information for the period outlined above at the latest on 23 FEBRUARY 2021. An Athlete who does not comply with this provision may be subject to consequences for non-compliance with the IWF Anti-Doping Rules, such as being not eligible to compete at the 2021 IWF Junior World Championships. More information on the Regulations and Forms can be

IWF Executive Board Announces Key Developments in Olympic Qualifying, Governance Reform and Anti-Doping

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Executive Board today announced key outcomes of recent meetings, affecting Olympic Qualifying, governance reform and anti-doping. On Olympic qualifying, the ongoing issues arising from the pandemic have resulted in the IWF Junior World Weightlifting Championships being moved from Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Tashkent in Uzbekistan. The decision was based on a request received from the Saudi Arabian Weightlifting Federation. The original dates of 23-31 May will be maintained. A proposed revision to the Olympic Qualifying System, including contingencies in case of further impacts from the pandemic, has been submitted to the IOC for approval. On governance reform, 30 June has been set as the date for the rescheduled IWF Constitutional Congress. It will be held online. With the closing date for Member Federation feedback on the proposed draft constitution now passed. On anti-doping, upon advice from the IOC a revision to Article 12 of the IWF’s Anti-Doping Rules was approved. Recommendation for changes was made by the independent Anti-Doping Commission and the International Testing Agency and after reversing from 4 to 3 the threshold whereby a Member Federation would become eligible for sanction, possible sanctions for Member Federations breaching this threshold now include fines as high as $500,000, up from $300,000. You can find the updated rules here “Whilst the conditions for international sporting competition remain difficult and complicated around the world, the IWF is pleased to be able to announce progress on the key issues of Olympic Qualification, Governance Reform and Anti-doping,” said IWF Interim President Dr Michael Irani. “We are determined to push ahead towards our key goal of ensuring clean, fair and exciting competitions at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games while also reforming the IWF in order to ensure it is fit for a brighter

Online Seminar in Lesotho

Due to the global pandemic situation, Lesotho could not organize the seminar within IWF Development Program in person, but fortunately they were able to do it virtually. Mr. Milan Mihajlovic, IWF TC Member was glad to give online lectures to show participants the world of Technical Officials. He explained the different roles of TOs during competitions, the appointment process, uniforms and shared the TCRR and the latest modifications in it. This course was a great initiative on the way to the 2026 African Youth Games which will be hosted by Lesotho. The feedback of the participants were really positive and their aim is to strengthen weightlifting and the technical officials in the

130th Anniversary of the First World Weightlifting Championships

Exactly 130 years ago, the first world weightlifting championships was held in London in 1891. At that time, the organization of the event needed a shorter time as today as only 7 athletes competed from 6 countries. The first world champion was Edward Lawrence Levy from England. Only one gold medal was allocated as no weight categories existed that time. Levy, 39, also won the very first British Amateur Weightlifting Championships two month before the London competition. During his career he set 14 world records. At the first modern Olympics, in Athens in 1896 however, he was no longer present as an athlete but as a member of the jury for weightlifting. At the first World Championships only men competed, while the first world championships where women could compete was held in 1987.  The first joint world weightlifting championships where both women and men competed was organized only in 1991. This event was called 64th Men’s and 5th Women’s World Championships and was held in Donaueschingen, Germany. To compare the first weightlifting championships with the last one which was held in Pattaya, Thailand in 2019, at the first one only 7 men competed with no specific bodyweight categories while in 2019 588 athletes - 313 male athletes from 84 countries and 275 female athletes from 79 countries - competed in 10-10 bodyweight

Female Focus II Webinar – IWF Women’s Commission

The IWF Women's Commission is organizing its second Female Focus webinar on 26 March 2021 at 9PM CET after the first successful Female Focus webinar. The webinar will be held on Zoom and can also be followed at the IWF YouTube Channel during and after the webinar. Experts and topics: Jenny Ortiz Cárdenaz, MSc - Barriers and Facilitators on Female Participations Tina Ball - Coach Tina Dr Kyle Pierce - Men Coaching Women Charlotte Fischer, MSc- Nutrition and Menstruation Moderator: Karoliina Lundahl - IWF Executive Board Member, IWF Women's Commission Chair, IWF CRC Deputy Chair Panel: Karoliina Lundahl (FIN) - IWF Women's Commission Chair Heather Allison (GBR) - IWF Women's Commission Member Neroli King (NZL) - IWF Women's Commission Member Sarah Davies (GBR) - IWF Athletes' Commmission Chair Pyrros Dimas (GRE) - IWF Executive Member Please find the link for registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/4316121823668/WN_l1YTouYZQGyN9pxSELKBYg Hopefully we will see many of you during the