News

New sponsorship deal signed by the IWF and Zhen-Ao Group China

The International Weightlifting Federation and Zhen-Ao Group China signed a Sponsorship Agreement yesterday in Budapest, Hungary. Among the 106 International Sports Organizations, weightlifting, strongly anchored in the Olympic Movement, displays a strong and reliable value for new partners. Zhen-Ao, a fast growing company in the health industry developing nucleic acid products, natural medicines with contemporary biological technology made a great success in China. Today, they have their presence secured in more than 20 countries worldwide. Negotiations between the two organizations started 1 year ago in Penang, Malaysia on the occasion of the 2011 IWF Junior World Championships, where the idea of cooperation emerged. Yesterday, a significant milestone was reached. The company established in 1996, has more than 60 products and started a strong strategic collaboration with the Chinese Olympic Committee in 2001. Zhen-Ao was the official health supplement supplier of the Chinese Olympic Team in preparation for the Beijing Olympic Games, and continues in this function for London 2012. Aware of the potential dangers engendered by nutritional supplements, upon request of the IWF, Zhen-Ao products have passed the relevant tests at the Center of Preventive Doping Research of the German Sport University Cologne. The contract was ratified by Mrs. Pan Xiao-Fei, Group President, Zhen-Ao China and Dr. Tamás Aján, IWF President. Mr. Guan Qing-Lei, Marketing President, Zhen-Ao China, Mr. Chun Fatt-Teck, Regional President, Zhen-Ao Malaysia, Mr. C.K. Tan, Chief Strategy Officer, Zhen-Ao Malaysia, Mr. Dato Ong Poh Eng, IWF Executive Board Member and other dignitaries were present during the official ceremony. Dr. Tamás Aján, IWF President said “Both Zhen-Ao and we are confident that our 2-years contract can be extended further subject to mutual satisfaction, professionalism and a well-functioning

IOC takes decisive action on ticketing allegations

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has moved quickly to deal with allegations that some National Olympic Committees (NOC) and Authorised Ticket Resellers (ATR) have broken rules relating to the sale of Olympic tickets. After claims that several NOCs and ATRs were reportedly willing to break the rules by offering to buy or sell tickets outside their territory, sell tickets at inflated prices, or sell tickets to unauthorized resellers, the IOC has ordered an immediate inquiry and referred the allegations to its independent Ethics Commission. On being informed of the allegations, the IOC immediately convened an extraordinary meeting of its Executive Board and determined a number of actions - the convening of the Ethics Commission and asking for any evidence of wrongdoing to be provided to the Commission without delay. The IOC takes these allegations very seriously and has immediately taken the first steps to investigate. Should any irregularities be proven, the organisation will deal with those involved in an appropriate manner. The NOCs are autonomous organisations, but if any of the cases are confirmed the IOC will not hesitate to impose the strongest sanctions. The IOC has also determined that it will take on board any recommendations coming out of the inquiry to improve the way that tickets are allocated and sold internationally in the

WADA launches new Digital Library

WADA has launched a new Digital Library designed to make WADA’s education and information tools more accessible to its stakeholders. The Library will assist stakeholders in developing their education programs by pin-pointing tools available for the target groups they wish to reach. Results of a survey of 597 WADA stakeholders in January 2011 revealed that the education and information tools available were highly-valued but required better means of access. The Digital Library is accessible on WADA’s

CAS decision confirmed IWF’s sanction on Dutch weightlifter

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled on the 25th May 2012 that: The Appeal filed by Ms. Mita Overvliet on 23 December 2011 against the decision dated 2 December 2011 rendered by the IWF Doping Hearing Panel is dismissed. The decision rendered by the IWF Doping Hearing Panel on 2 December 2011 is confirmed. Ms. Mita Overvliet being ineligible to compete in weightlifting competitions for a period of four years starting from 23 May

Five Weightlifters Selected to Team GB

With just 46 days to go until the start of the London 2012 Olympics, the British Olympic Association (BOA) has announced yesterday five weightlifters as officially selected to compete for Team GB at the Games. The five selected athletes – three men and two women – represent the largest contingent of weightlifters Team GB has taken to an Olympics Games since Barcelona 1996, when there were six British weightlifters. All five athletes will be competing at their first Olympic Games in London and will be aiming to produce their personal best during the competition which takes place at the ExCeL Arena in London Docklands from 28th July to 7th August. The weightlifters selected to Team GB today are: •Gareth Evans •Peter Kirkbride •Jack Oliver •Natasha Perdue •Zoe Smith Click here to read

The last Continental Olympic Qualification Event ended

The Oceania Championships – Continental Olympic Qualification Event & Commonwealth Championships in Apia, Samoa welcome the best Oceania athletes who done their utmost to grab a chance enable their country to participate in the London 2012 Olympic Games. 38 Women from 10 countries and 69 Men from 18 counties performed at their best to earn Olympic quotas. Within Women, the following countries obtained 1 Olympic Quota: SAM, PNG, FIJ, AUS. Within Men, the following countries obtained 1 Olympic Quota: AUS, KIR, FIJ, NZL, PNG. The successful weightlifting competition was the last event closing the festive period that celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Samoa’s Independence. Check out the Results of the Oceania Championships and the Result Book. As the last Olympic Qualification Event ended, you can consult the latest ranking for London 2012. The Results of the African, European and Asian Events are final; therefore the Qualification Summary was updated