IWF Development Program: Chile
In the framework of the IWF Development Program, the proposal of the Chilean Weightlifting Federation to develop a Basic Weightlifting Seminars in each regional capital city, with the presence of delegates of any cities of the region is a great success. As Chile is divided in 15 regions, the complete program include seminars in Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta, Copiapó, La Serena, Valparaíso, Santiago, Rancagua, Talca, Concepción, Temuco, Valdivia, Puerto Montt, Coyhaique and Punta Arenas. The Program was designed this way in order to cover the financial requirements derived of the big distance between the cities involved and the capital city Santiago. THE PATAGONIA AND AYSÉN Until very recently, weightlifting did not exist in the region, but the media impact of the Chilean participants in the Olympic Games has generated a growing movement. That has already managed to form part of the regional representative in this year's National Sports Games. In coordination with the regional representation of the National Institute of Sports two seminars were developped in this region, previous the National Games, where Aysén, for the first time, was represented in weightlifting. The idea is to incorporate this region to the regular participation in competitions of the annual calendar of the federation, completing the practice of weightlifting in all the country. COYHAIQUE Obviously skiing is a common practice here and winter sports have a special place. But the cold weather limits the outdoor activities and indoor sports as weightlifting can take advantage of it, copying the example of Punta Arenas. As happened previously in other cities or regions, the practice of weightlifting begins when some person or group of people fall in love of this sport and begin the practice with a few elements but great passion. The example of Coyhaique it is not different, but now the Federation, and the Government want to support these activities since the beginnings. The seminar had a very good attendance, big enthusiasm and specially the interest in the community and people in the practice of our sport. PUERTO AYSÉN As soccer is the most popular sport in the country, also in Puerto Aysén it is very popular. But here is very difficult to practice all the time under the rain (and the cold). In this case, the weather is an ally for weightlifting. Taking advantage of the climate conditions and the few opportunities for sport and other popular enterteining activities, weightlifting is there as an alternative, like in Cañete or Curanilahue in the Bio bio Region, small towns where our sport is an icon. Source: Chilean Weightlifting
