News

Werk-San selected as official barbell of the 2010 Antalya World Championships

Turkish Weightlifting Federation President Dr. Hasan Akkus informed the IWF - and the Weightlifting Community - that the barbells of the Werk-San Company (Turkey) have been selected for use at the upcoming 2010 World Championships in Antalya.

End of last event in Continental Qualification for the Youth Olympic Games

With the IWF Youth Olympic Games Continental Qualification Championships for Europe, held in Valencia, Spain, the series of qualification events came to an end. The European nations who have obtained athlete spots (1 each) for Singapore are:Men - BLR, GER, ROU, ITA, LATWomen - ROU, BLR, ITA, HUN Complete information on the Qualification status and other details of the 1st YOG are available on this website: YOG-Singapore

Sofia to host Junior World Weightlifting Championships in June

Up till now 52 countries have sent their entry forms to the 36th Men’s and 16th Women’s Junior World Weightlifting Championships. The event will be held in the Universiade Sports Hall in Sofia, Bulgaria 11-20 June 2010. We would like to call your attention to the deadline of the submission of entry, wich is May 28, 2010.Please find underneath some useful information:Members of the Bulgarian Organising Commitee:Svilen Nejkov - Honorary ChairmanAnton Kodjabashev- President of OCTenio Tenev – Executive Secretary Sevdalin Marinov – Competition DirectorNorair Nurikian – VIP CoordinatorNikola Mollov- International Relations SecretaryAsen Zlatev- Technical Commissioner Ljubomir Vasilev – MPES Coordinator (Ministry of Physical Education and Sport)Press Chief of JWC: Georgi BanevAccommodation: Park Hotel Moskva www.parkhotelmoskva.netHotel Pliska (1113 Sofia, 87 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd )Accreditation will take place at the Park Hotel Moskva.Address of the Bulgarian Organising Commitee:1040 Sofia75, Vasil Levski Blvd,Ministry of Psysical Education and SportTel, fax: +359  2 981 0506e-mail: [email protected]: www.bwf.dir.bg For regulation and detailed program please click here.

New IWF Referee Scarf for Women available!

A newly designed Referee scarf is now available as a compulsory piece of the women's referee uniform outfit.The scarf is made of pure silk and the price is USD30.00 per piece. Contact the IWF Secretariat [email protected] regarding the purchase.The scarfs will be on sale at the upcoming Junior World Championships in Sofia, at the Antalya Worlds and other major IWF events.

Olympic Flame plans revealed

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games announced that the Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK on Friday 18 May 2012 and will travel around the UK for 70 days, arriving in London the weekend before the 2012 Games begin.•    Olympic Flame to arrive in UK on 18 May 2012•    70 day Torch Relay around the UK•    8,000 Torchbearers•    95% of the UK population to be within a one hour journey time of the Torch Relay •    Presenting Partners – Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and SamsungIn line with the bid promise to inspire and connect a new generation to the Olympic Movement, 8,000 torch bearers will be selected with over half of the places expected to go to young people. There will be a torchbearer nomination process, expected to be announced in May 2011, giving people across the UK the chance to be involved in this historic countdown to the start of the London 2012 Games.Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “The Olympic Torch Relay heralds the start of the London 2012 Games, bringing people across the UK together to celebrate the spirit of the Games. The London 2012 Torch Relay will connect people and places; young people to sport and the UK to the rest of the world. ”As the Torch Relay travels around the UK, visiting different communities and cultures it will connect people to the Olympic Games, its heroes and its spirit. With 95% of the British population to be within a one hour journey time of the route, the Olympic Torch Relay will bring the 2012 Games to people’s doorsteps and showcase the best of the UK from dynamic urban areas to places of outstanding natural beauty and sporting and cultural landmarks. Hugh Robertson, Sports and Olympics Minister, said: “The Torch Relay will bring the spirit of London 2012 to every corner of the country and give everybody the chance to experience first-hand the excitement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  I also hope that it will inspire a new generation of people, and particularly young people, to take up sport.”The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "The Olympic Flame is the most recognisable symbol of the modern Games and has an awesome history tracing back to ancient Greece. Its arrival on our shores in May 2012 marks not only the start of the London Torch Relay, but arguably the start of the most important three months in the capital's recent history. “Representing peace and unity, the Torch Relay is yet another 'once in a lifetime' opportunity in 2012 for ordinary Londoners and visitors to come together and celebrate this historic and exciting moment."Source:

Armenian weightlifting coach dies at 51

Head Coach of Armenian Weightlifting National Team Ashot Mkhitaryan, 51, died of a heart attack in Zvartnots International Airport (Yerevan, Armenia) on May 23, when welcoming the youth weightlifting team returning from Valencia after the European Championships. Mkhitaryan had trained the national team since 2006. Under his guidance, Armenia won 6 bronze medals at Olympic Games in Beijing, as well as many medals at European and World Championships. The International Weightlifting Federation expresses its deep condolences to his family and