News

IWF Executive Board sanctions Federation of Azerbaijan for multiple doping cases

True to its firm stance against the use of doping, the IWF Executive Board unanimously decided to sanction the Azerbaijan Weightlifting Federation whose athletes produced multiple adverse analytical findings in 2013 for a fine of USD500,000. At the same time the IWF calls the Federation to conduct an investigation into the athletes' entourage (coaches, team doctors). With regard to the organisational contributions of the Azerbaijan Federation to international weightlifting and maintaining its policy not to punish innocent athletes the Board decided not to suspend the Federation. However, the fine is payable within 6 months and until the fine is paid in full Azerbaijan is not eligible to participat in the IWF Calendar

IWF Medical Committee Meeting in Lausanne

The IWF Medical Committee held its extraordinary meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland on 27 March 2014. Besides 9 members, Chairman Dr. Michael Irani Anti-Doping Commission Chairman Dr. Patrick Schamasch and IWF President Dr. Tamas Ajan being present, the IOC Medical Director Dr. Richard Budgett also participated in the meeting. Major topics discussed: The IWF Medical Committee set its 3 years working plan including the elaboration of a Medical Manual. Event organizers guidelines will also include a comprehensive Anti-Doping section with well-defined requirements to be provided at IWF events. The IWF Medical Kit to be used on major events such as World Championships was introduced in order to assure a proper and professional medical treatment for athletes on competition sites. Sports specific characteristics were established to differentiate weightlifting from other sports from the medical and analytical point of view. The meeting marked the first step of a tighter cooperation between the IOC Medical and Scientific Department, the IWF Medical Committee and the IWF Anti-Doping Commission in order to further harmonize the work in this

IWF President visits the Olympic Capital

On the occasion of his visit to the Olympic Capital the city of Lausanne, Dr. Tamas Ajan, IWF President together with Attila Adamfi, IWF Director General hold several meetings with international sports organizations. They met with Kit McConnell, newly appointed IOC Sports Director. During the meeting the IWF gave information regarding the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games, focusing on the actual qualification status in weightlifting. With the Rio 2016 Olympic Games getting closer, the IOC provided crucial details related to the organization and weightlifting venue construction. At its meeting with Tim Goethals, ASOIF Project Manager, the IWF President received information about the latest steps made in the development of the International Sport Information System (ISIS) Project. SportAccord Director General, Vlad Marinescu gave information on the upcoming SportAccord Convention to be held in Belek, Turkey and the parties coordinated the possibilities of a closer cooperation for the future. Matthew Curtain, Sports Director of the Commonwealth Games Federation informed the IWF about the upcoming Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Also the introduction of an athlete quota system / qualification standard for future Games and a Memorandum Of Understanding between the CGF and IWF has been

South American Games Santiago 2014

The 10th South American Games Santiago 2014 was held in Santiago of Chile from 5-18 March gathering near 4000 athletes from 42 disciplines. Weightlifting competitions were held in the “Cúpula del Parque O’Higgins” between 13 and 16 of March with the participation of 97 lifters (51 men and 46 women) coming from 12 countries (Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Panamá, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Aruba), becoming one of the disciplines that managed to overcome the threshold imposed by ODESUR of 5 countries for the realization of each category. Weightlifters showed outstanding performances, strength and talent during the 4 days event setting 2 New South American Games Records, in a spectacular venue and a joyful atmosphere heated by a generous public, great part of it watching weightlifting for the first time. Just as Brazil was the leader of the overall medal table, Colombia with 10 gold medals was the winner of weightlifting competitions, followed by Venezuela and Ecuador. Chile said present with the silver medal of the 56 Kg category. Special mention deserves the visit of the Mayor of Santiago Mrs Carolina Tohá, who shows very enthusiastic with the competition. It was also the opportunity for the Chilean Weightlifting Authorities to talk about development of sport and future projects, such as the possibility of a world championship in Chile. Source: Federación Chilena de Levantamiento de Pesas

Official Communication

As it is known, the IWF has been implementing a highly comprehensive and intensive Anti-Doping Program including both in-competition and out-of-competition testing. In this process, in 2013 several anti-doping violations were disclosed. The IWF is looking at each case with utmost thoroughness, with full respect to the relevant WADA and IWF rules, and the rights of the athletes. The relevant procedures of anti-doping violations by multiple weightlifters from Azerbaijan have now been closed. Accordingly, lifters found positive at the 2013 European Championships and subsequently in out-of-competition testing have been sanctioned and the results of the 2013 Championships have been updated. Both the competitors concerned and the Azerbaijan Weightlifting Federation have received punishment following the sanctions stipulated in the IWF Anti-Doping Policy. The Weightlifting Federation of Azerbaijan is one of the most active also as the home of a Weightlifting Academy and host of various significant events. Drawing the conclusions of last year they now have the obligation to turn a new page and build a new, clean national team. The IWF is hereby calling all athletes’ attention to the fact that the IWF Test Distribution Plan (TDP) has become even more sophisticated and effective under the guidance and control of its neutral Anti-Doping Commission and through the progressive introduction of the steroid passport the testing will become tighter than ever

IWF Development Program – documents available

The IWF continues supporting the National and Continental/Regional Federations in the framework of the IWF Development Program. For the fifth time, the IWF Member Federations have the possibility to improve their organisational, coaching, training, educational and anti-doping activities by filling the Application. Please click here to download the documentation package for the year 2014. We remind you that the deadline to return the completed forms is 11 April 2014. Please send the filled in documents to