News

China ready to host a ‘Green’ Universiade

The Organizers of the 26th Universiade said that the event will lack fireworks and other grand displays traditionally associated with major sporting events, as they are aiming to make it a "green" event. "Various measures have been taken during the preparation of the Universiade to ensure that the Games, which will be held in south China's city of Shenzhen starting from August 12, will be environment friendly", Xu Qin, vice president and secretary-general of the event's organizing committee, said at a press conference. Xu, who is also the mayor of Shenzhen, said the event's opening ceremony will emphasize the theme of "the return of sports." "No fireworks displays will be staged, and no stars or celebrities will appear at the opening ceremony," Xu said at the press conference. Xu said that the stage used during the opening ceremony is made of recycled plastic bottles. He also noted that 65 percent of the event's venues have been remodeled or based on existing facilities in order to save costs and reduce the event's environmental impact. "The newly built UniversiadeVillage and Universiade Centerwill feature new energy-saving technologies and materials", Xu added. This environmentally friendly approach will be utilized not only within the Universiade, but also in the city of Shenzhen itself. Xu said the municipal government will put 2,011 alternative-energy vehicles on the city's streets during the 12-day event. The municipal government has also opened five new subway lines in order to lower carbon emissions. "The city has planted over 1.28 million trees since winning the rights to host the event in 2007", Xu

Last call for registrations: 14th World Conference on Sport For All

The 14th IOC World Conference on Sport for All will kick off in Beijing (China) on September 20, bringing together experts and practitioners to share their latest findings in promoting sport for everyone. This high-profile 3 days summit is organised every second year and is a key event in the calendar of the Olympic Movement, specialised NGOs, researchers, governments and UN bodies. Registration is still open until 15 August 2011 and you can save your place athttp://www.sportforall2011.org/cn/enindex.jsp For more information, please visit the official Conference

Say No! to Doping, Bronze Outreach Level IWF Campaign

The IWF will launch its Say No! to Doping campaign in November during the 2011 IWF Weightlifting World Championship to be held in Paris, France. Say NO! to Doping is an awareness campaign that encourages sport and anti-doping communities to demonstrate their commitment to clean sport by incorporating green elements into sporting equipment and competition venues. The concept provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of respect and fair play. The campaign is a starting point for meaningful and substantive anti-doping education

GBR National Technical Officials Course

Funded by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) together with auxiliary assistance from British Weightlifting, the aim of the course was to provide technical up-skilling for officials to ensure the officiating at the London 2012 Olympic Games will be of the highest standard. Held at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre from 29 - 31 July 2011, the course was delivered by Sam Coffa, Chairman of the IWF Technical Committee with the valuable assistance from Moira Lassen, IWF Technical Committee Member. 34 local technical officials participated in the seminar, which then concluded with a practical assessment at the 2011 London and South East U18 & U23 Championships. ‘Not only did the training course provide local officials the opportunity to fine tune their skills, the programme itself created a significant legacy piece for the sport in Great Britain and Northern Ireland - to which LOCOG is proud to have initiated' said Matthew Curtain, London 2012 Weightlifting Manager. Following this course, further sessions will be held before the Test Event in December 2011 and then prior to the 2012 Olympic

IWF Technical Delegate visit to London

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) participated in their 3rd Technical Delegate meeting in London from 27 - 29 July 2011. Represented by Sam Coffa (IWF Vice President) and Attila Ádámfi (Competition Director), the IWF officials received numerous operational reports from ‘London 2012' key functional areas such as Sport Competition, Technology, Sports Presentation, Sport Entries, Accreditation and Sport Equipment. "With less than a year until the commencement of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the IWF is completely satisfied with the progress of LOCOG to which the IWF recognises the committed work ethic and professional leadership of Debbie Jevans, Director of Sport, David Luckes, Head of Sport Competition and Matthew Curtain, Weightlifting Manager" said Mr.

First Competition for Clubs organised by the Malta Weightlifting Association

Four clubs took part in the first Competition for Clubs organised earlier this month by the Malta Weightlifting Association at the Cottonera Sports Complex. Cottonera Club fielded 11 lifters and ranked first in the final standings. Clint Grech competing at the Cottonera Club was the best lifter of the event. The competition was run by the Malta Weightlifting Association President Jesmond Caruana whose impressive work to promote weightlifting contributed to the major success of the event. With the participation of experienced referees, the Malta Weightlifting Association showed its professionalism and delivered a great competition. In the framework of the IWF Development Program, the International Weightlifting Federation provided barbells for the