News

Pan American Federation Electoral Congress

The Pan American Weightlifting Federation (PAWF) held its Electoral Congress successfully in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on 26 February 2016. Besides the delegates from 22 Pan American member federations, the Dominican Republic Olympic Committee Secretary General Antonio Acosta, the IWF President Dr. Tamás Aján, the General Secretary Wenguang Ma, the Vice President Sam Coffa as well as 5 Executive Board Members and several international guests also participated in the Congress. The Congress was named “Congreso Eleccionario Santo Domingo 2016 in Memoriam Eddie Suarez” – Eddie Suarez Rojas, the son of the previous PAWF General Secretary Eddie Suarez who was tragically died last year also attended and made an emotional speech while receiving the PWF recognition on behalf of his late father. Following the various reports of PAWF, the election concluded with success. Willian Ozuna was the sole candidate for the PAWF President position. He was unanimously reelected and showed a strong leadership for the PAWF’s tight unity. Rafael Pacho (CUB) was elected as General Secretary among 3 candidates running for the position. Ana Camacho (COL) set a historical milestone as she is the first ever female on the PAWF Board – she was elected as a Vice President. The new PAWF Executive Board Members are: Willian OZUNA (DOM) – President Rafael PACHO (CUB) – General Secretary Ana CAMACHO (COL) – Vice President Kyle PIERCE (USA) – Vice President Andres VARGAS (PUR) – Vice President Fernando ESQUIVEL (CRC) – Member Miguel NINO (NCA) – Member Luis ZAMBRANO (ECU) – Member HARTHEY Cristian (CHI) – Treasurer Elected Committee members are: Gustavo MALGOR (ARG) – Technical Committee Maritza ORTIZ (DOM) – Technical Committee Hugo THEMEN (ARU) – Technical Committee Carlos CUERVO (CUB) – Coaching and Research Committee David MONTERO (BRA) – Coaching and Research Committee Dr. Rafael ROMERO (ESA) – Medical Committee Dr. Roxanna VARGAS (DOM) – Medical Committee Dr. Mark LAVALLEE (USA) – Medical Committee Congratulations to all the elected officials! (by Reiko

Best of 2015: HSU SHU-CHING and ILYA ILYIN

As per the result of the online voting of WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING closed at the end of January, the same lifter won the Lifter of the Year title for 2015 for the men as the year before: ILYA ILYIN from Kazakhstan. Among the women, the Jenő Boskovics Lifter of the Year Challenge Trophy will be awarded to HSU SHU-CHING from Chinese Taipei. Both winners received over two thousand votes, leaving no doubt about their title as the best of last year. For the first time WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING launched the Lifter of the Year election in 1982, but at the beginning only men could receive votes. The women joined in 1991 and ever since we have had two winners every year. In memory of the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, the creator of the concept, a Challenge Trophy was established, which the annual winners can take over in an elegant ceremony. Last year ILYIN and Russian TATIANA KASHIRINA were the centrepiece of the elegant presentation ceremony hosted by Astana, Kazakhstan, who received the Jenő Boskovics Lifter of the Year Challenge Trophy from the Editors of WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING in the high company of Dr. Tamás Aján, IWF President. For her output during last year, HSU SHU-CHING from Chinese Taipei will be accorded the precious 2015 Trophy honouring her supremacy and world champion title in 53kg at the Houston World Championships. No doubt, when casting their ballots on Kazakhstan’s ILYA ILYIN, voters rewarded his incredible new world record at the President's Cup in Grozny. Congratulations to both winners!

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING’s latest issue is out!

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING’s latest issue N°136 is out! Check out the detailed report from the 2015 IWF World Championships Houston, USA as well as interviews, Rio 2016 update and an overview of the Russian President’s Cup. Read the online

Manufacturer identifications on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games uniforms

We draw your attention to Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter regarding the advertising – manufacturer identifications on the uniforms for Rio 2016. In line with the IOC guidelines, the IWF prepared a document to help you understanding and implementing the rule. Check it out

IWF Executive Board Members met Canadian Sport Minister

Sam Coffa, IWF Vice President and Moira Lassen, IWF Executive Board Member paid a visit to Ottawa, CAN and held discussions with Carla Qualtrough PC MP Minister of Sport as well as 3 time Paralympic bronze medalist. Of the various topics addressed the major items covered relate to the Commonwealth

IOC Statement on Zika

“You will be aware of the Zika virus and its development in the Americas, including in Brazil.  Brazil reported its first case in May 2015, and World Health Organisation (WHO) officials now estimate that 1.5 million people have been infected in the country. While most cases result in no symptoms (around 80 per cent), and those people who do get symptoms have them only for two to seven days, there has also been an unusual increase in the number of babies born with microcephaly (birth defect affecting head size and brain development) in Brazil; and the authorities are trying to determine if there is a connection between the two. Indeed, the WHO has announced that it will convene a meeting next Monday to decide if Zika should be treated as a global emergency. With this in mind, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is closely monitoring the situation with Zika in Brazil. We are also in close communication with the WHO and the Rio 2016 Organising Committee on this topic. On its side, Rio 2016 is in regular contact with the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the Municipal Health Department, which are the responsible authorities on health issues in Brazil and in Rio. All parties are taking action to address this topic, and are following developments closely. In this connection, a plan has already been put in place for the Games venues in the lead-up to and at Games time, which will see them inspected on a daily basis in order to ensure that any puddles of stagnant water - where the mosquitos breed - are removed, therefore minimising the risk of athletes and visitors coming into contact with mosquitos. Rio 2016 will also continue to follow the virus prevention and control measures provided by the authorities, and will provide the relevant guidance to Games athletes and visitors. It is also important to note that the Rio 2016 Games will take place during the winter months of August and September, when the drier, cooler climate significantly reduces the presence of mosquitos and therefore the risk of infection. In general, the Brazilian authorities are also taking significant steps to deal with Zika, as they have recently announced that over 200,000 members of the armed forces and health workers will be engaged across the country, going from house to house to distribute leaflets and dispense advice about how to combat the mosquitos and the virus. The current advice to those visiting areas with Zika is: All travellers to areas with active Zika transmission should take mosquito bite avoidance measures, during both daytime and night-time hours (but especially during mid-morning and from late afternoon to dusk, when the mosquitos are most active). These measures include wearing appropriate clothing with long trousers and sleeves, and using insect repellents. Travellers should get additional advice from their local health authorities. Women who are planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider, to assess the risk of infection with the Zika virus and receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures. Although the WHO currently does not recommend any change to travel plans, some national authorities, on a precautionary basis, have recommended that pregnant women should consider avoiding travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is occurring. If travel is unavoidable, or they live in areas where the Zika virus is reported, they should take scrupulous insect bite avoidance measures. The IOC remains in close contact with the WHO to ensure that we have access to the most up-to-date information and guidance, from now through to Games time. At the same time, NOCs should consult with their national health authorities to get advice and guidance. We remain confident that there will be a safe environment for successful and enjoyable Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.” Prof.Dr.Uğur Erdener IOC Medical and Scientific Commission Chair Dr Richard Budgett IOC Medical and Scientific