News

MEDIA RELEASE in regard to weightlifting competition costumes

INTERNATIONAL WEIGHTLIFTING FEDERATION CREATES MORE INCLUSIVE SPORT ENVIRONMENT  (Penang, MAS) The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) demonstrated its progressive strength today during the Junior World Championships by presenting alternatives to its traditional competition costumes.  The newly approved competition costume modification promotes and enables a more inclusive sport environment and breaks down barriers to participation.     The IWF's Technical Committee, chaired by IWF Vice President Sam Coffa of Australia, reviewed a proposal from the United States Olympic Committee and the USA Weightlifting Federation in relation to Muslim female athlete competition wear.  "The Committee continually reviews its technical sport rules as directed by its quadrennial work plan."  Coffa declares "This issue was on our radar so we thank the USOC and our member Federation for prompting it and look forward to having increased global participation from removing this barrier" The modified rule changes permits athletes to wear a one piece full body tight fitted "unitard" under the compulsory weightlifting costume.   The "unitard" will enable technical officials to effectively adjudicate areas of the body which are essential to the correct execution of the lift.  "As far as wearing coverings on the athletes head, such as the hijab, the sport of Olympic Weightlifting has always allowed this."  Coffa notes "Our rules simply mandate that the athlete cannot touch the head with the barbell; if the barbell touches the covering, it is considered to be part of the head." "Weightlifting is an Olympic Sport open for all athletes to participate without discrimination on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, age, or national origin in accordance with the principles of the Olympic Charter and values."  states Dr Tamas Ajan, IWF President and Honorary IOC member  "This rule modification has been considered in the spirit of fairness, equality and inclusion."     The new IWF Competition Costume rule modifications are effective immediately.   For more information, contact:Ms Aniko Nemeth-MoraDirector and Chief of Protocol+0164090029 (Penang, MAS until July 8, 2011)[email protected]

Executive Board Meeting in Penang

After the Committee Meetings, the IWF Executive Board held its scheduled Meeting in Penang, Malaysia at the Hotel Equatorial.Among other items, the Executive Board accepted the affiliation of 2 new countries: Botswana and Curacao. The Executive Board will propose them for ratification as new members of the IWF to the Congress to be held tomorrow 29 June.In his capacity of the Oceania Weightlifting Federation’s President and Member of the Board, H.E. Marcus Stephen, President of the Republic of Nauru also attended the

IWF Committee Meetings in Penang, Malaysia

  The 3 IWF Committees held their meeting yesterday in Penang, Malaysia right before the Junior World Championships starting on 30th June. Technical Committee Among several items of the Technical Committee's agenda, a short study on the introduction minimum standards for weightlifting was discussed. The Technical Committee gave an update of: the weightlifting clothing the electronic change of weights standards for the platform and for barbells review of technical and competition rules The Committee will proudly publish a Technical Officials' instruction presentation & guidebook. Coaching & Research Committee The main task of the Meeting was to discuss the preparation and action plan for the Club Coach Manuel Level 2. The Manual will be ready before the World Weightlifting Championships 2011 to be held in Paris, France. Among others, one of the most important issues was the elaboration of a protocol "how to implement the Coaching Manual Level 1 and how to utilize it through Coaching Courses. Medical Committee The IWF Medical committee discussed during its meeting in Penang topics related to the organisation and the participants of competitions. The Committee defined the minimum standards such as medical and equipment for efficient first aid during competitions. Further to this issue, a discussion was started in regard to instant pain relief possibilities for competition injuries, and a study on osteoporosis in light of the weightlifting sport was presented. Among others important issues, the proposed modifications of the 2012 WADA Code was underlined. The IWF would like to thank the Committee Members for their great contribution!

Whereabouts and Membership Fee Reminder

Every IWF NF shall submit their national team athletes' whereabouts through the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS). Countries not submitting whereabouts info on ADAMS will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming Junior World Championships Penang, Malaysia. According to the IWF Constitution, the Annual Membership Fee of the IWF was due by the end of January 2011. Please make sure that your National Federation transferred the above amount to the IWF, otherwise the participation of your National Team in the upcoming Junior World Championships Penang, Malaysia will not be

Course for coaches in Puerto Rico

During the last week of May, 2011, Dr. Kyle Pierce, Member of the IWF Coaching & Research Committee, offered a two day course for coaches in Puerto Rico. More than 30 weightlifting coaches along with physical education teachers in charge of the weightlifting program in the Island, enjoyed the talks based on the recent publication of the IWF Coaching & Research Committee titled: "The IWF Club Coach Manual" where Dr. Pierce co-authors with Lyn Jones and Michael Keelan. The talks by Dr. Pierce were complemented by a two hour lecture on "Latest Modifications in International Refereeing", by David Colón Arroyo, General Secretary of the PRWF and Category 1 International Referee. The amount of questions and discussion generated by these talks provides proof of the success of this series of lectures expected to be supported by the IWF Development Program in association with the Olympic Solidarity

New General Secretary for the Hungarian Weightlifting Federation

Ms. Mária Takács became the new General Secretary of the Hungarian Weightlifting Federation. She was appointed on 28 May 2011. She entered the IWF Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 2006 to "eternity" by being one of weightlifting's most successful female lifters. Having participated in 12 women's World Championships, she captured 33 out of the maximum 36