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Lima, Preview: India aiming for “simultaneous” medals as IWF tries two platforms for first time at World Youth Championships

India could win medals in different competitions at the same time when the IWF World Youth Championships starts in Peru on Wednesday. All 20 weight categories, 10 each for men and women, will be staged in five days because, for the first time, there will be two platforms at an IWF Championships. One platform will be for the men’s events and the other for the women. On the first day India – which is sending a team of 10 on a 34,000-kilometre round trip – has athletes in all four A Groups, which run simultaneously at 1400 and 2030 in Lima. Athletes are already training in Lima It is no surprise to see India looking to the future. The nation is bidding to host the 2036 Olympic Games and it knows that developing athletes now is essential. “The government wants us to do a long-term plan and we have already started our talent identification process state by state,” said Vijay Sharma, India’s head coach. “The level of interest is the key. Boxing, wrestling and athletics are the most popular among children, but weightlifting has become more popular after Mira (Mirabai Chanu) won her silver medal in Tokyo. There’s a lot of interest in her home state of Manipur, especially for girls. Everything is getting ready in the Peruvian capital “Our team for Peru is a new one, with all ten athletes from different states. We are focusing mainly on the lighter categories.” India won one silver and four bronzes at last year’s World Youth Championships in Albania. “We are hoping for seven or eight medals this time,” said Sharma. “These athletes will probably be too old for 2036 – we want them to be 21, 22 at that time so we are looking for talent aged nine or ten. “It took us a long time in India to come back from doping scandals. We have been successful with that, and now after Mira’s medal we are doing well. I would say that the future looks much brighter than the past for us.” Chinese Taipei, with 11 athletes, also sends a big team from Asia. Five members of the Pan American Federation have entered large teams – 19 for hosts Peru, 18 for Mexico, 15 for Colombia, 14 for Venezuela and 11 for the United States. Turkey, Poland and Spain send the largest teams from Europe. Three champions from last year compete in Lima – Ogulshat Amanova for Tukmenistan in the women’s 49kg, Seryoza Barseghyan from Armenia in the men’s 73kg and Irakli Vekua from Georgia in the men’s super-heavyweights. Etta Mae Love, the Canadian who was second in the women’s super-heavyweights in Albania last March, might have a shot at the youth world record in clean and jerk, judging by her numbers in training. By Brian Oliver

IWF President in Baku to enhance weightlifting development in Azerbaijan

The IWF President Mohammed Jalood was this week in Azerbaijan, where he had the opportunity to discuss new ways of developing weightlifting in the country with the national authorities. While in Baku, Mr Jalood met with Prime Minister Mr Ali Asadov, the Minister of Youth and Sports Mr Farid Gayibov, and representatives of the Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee and Weightlifting Federation. IWF President Mohammed Jalood (first from the right) meets with the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Mr Ali Asadov (second from the left) and President of the Azerbaijan Weightlifting Federation Mr Kamran Nabizade (first from the left) During these three days, Mr Jalood visited Baku’s High-Performance Training Centre, a facility that could become an IWF Academy in the future. The complex includes high-level training facilities (the national team of Azerbaijan is doing its preparation there), but also excellent conditions for athletes’ accommodation. A presentation on this venue will be made by Azeri representatives at the IWF Executive Board meeting next December in Bahrain (during the IWF World Championships), so that it can eventually integrate the IWF Academy project, already active in China (Fuzhou) and Cuba (La Habana).  IWF President (centre) with Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sports Mr Farid Gayibov (second from the left) and NF representatives (President Nabizade and Vice-President Mr Firdovsi Umudov, first from the right) “All authorities are quite enthusiastic about this project, as they want to elevate the level of weightlifting in Azerbaijan. The performances of the younger athletes in the country are already quite encouraging, but the sport and political officials are determined to develop a new weightlifting culture in the country, namely in the fundamental area of anti-doping,” considered Mr Jalood after the visit.  IWF President meeting Azerbaijan's National Olympic Committee representatives - Vice-President Mr Chingiz Huseynzade and General Secretary Mr Azer Aliyev  In his discussions with Mr Asadov, the IWF President was happy to know that Azerbaijan is keen to receive IWF events in the future, namely in the youth and junior age group category. This was confirmed by Mr Gayibov, but also by the National Olympic Committee Vice-President Mr Chingiz Huseynzade, and NOC General Secretary Mr Azer Aliyev.  IWF President with the President and Vice-President of Azerbaijan's Weightlifting Federation “I strongly encouraged the Azeri authorities to present their bids, as we all know that the country is perfectly capable of successfully hosting our events. Baku has staged many international and prestigious sports competitions, and we would like to be part of that list. The interest is real and I am sure we will have good news in the future,” concluded Mr Jalood. IWF

Get ready for the second edition of ITA’s anti-doping webinars!

Just one week to go for the second edition of the International Testing Agency (ITA) free series of five webinars devoted to anti-doping education. Every Wednesday, from May 22 to June 19, all participants will be able to be briefed and discuss on several topics related to this important subject. For the weightlifting family, this initiative is part of the #ILiftClean campaign and follows joint activities by the IWF and the ITA at our major events. The five-webinar series starts on May 22 with the theme “Introduction to anti-doping – Overview of the system, rights and responsibilities, ADRVs”. On the following week, participants are invited to discuss “The Doping Control Process – Testing procedures (urine and blood) and ABP”, while the third webinar, on June 5, will deal with “Medications, Supplements, Prohibited List and TUEs (including the principle of Strict Liability)”. Seven days later, the fourth online rendezvous will present the “Values, Consequences and Reporting (including decision-making and athlete testimonials”. The last webinar, on June 19, will focus on “Out-of-competition testing – Requirements of RTP/TP, whereabouts, and use of ADAMS”. The five seminars will be held, every Wednesday, from 14h00 to 15h00 (CET time) and will be run in English (with simultaneous translation in Arabic, French, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish). Those attending all five webinars will receive a final certificate. Participants must sign up for each session using the links below:   May 22, 2024:https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y9vgbm-DQAGc8xh7nxy5Jg May 29, 2024:https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__-sBcL6YSLiHlb4gp0Fa2Q June 5, 2024:https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N8YfloszTV6fAk6A51zwng June 12, 2024:https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sFqkDOxuRnWNA9JeRHFObw June 19, 2024:https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_z_x6DlQoQjGkz3rYuk6bRw

IWF confirms “excellent level” of preparation for the 2024 Olympics in Paris

With less than 80 days to go before the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, an IWF delegation was in the French capital to discuss the last preparation stages of the event with the organisers. The group included Matthew Curtain, IWF Executive Board member and Paris 2024 Technical Delegate, Achilleas Tsogas, IWF CEO, and Matyas Lencser, IWF Competition Manager. During the two-day visit, various aspect related with the staging of the Games were revised, namely the accommodation and transportation plan, the accreditation and ticketing procedure, and the sports presentation. The IWF delegation also had the opportunity to visit the venue of the competition, as well as the training facility (located in the Olympic Village). Achilleas Tsogas (IWF CEO, fifth from the left), Matthew Curtain (IWF EB member and Paris 2024 Technical Delegate, fourth from the right) and Matyas Lencser (IWF Competition Manager, second from the right) meeting the Paris 2024 Olympic Games organisers The inspection of the sports complex used for the weightlifting competition – Paris Expo Porte de Versailles (SP6) – deserved special attention from the IWF. All logistical details related to the necessary requirements for a weightlifting event were reviewed, with some small adjustments still to be done until the staging of the Games. “We are now in the last metres of a long race, but we are extremely happy with the level of athlete-centred co-operation from Paris 2024. I am sure that the end of the journey, during the Games in Paris, will also be outstanding,” underlined Mr Curtain. “Together with Moira [Lassen, the second IWF Technical Delegate to the Games, but unfortunately not available for this visit], we have always enjoyed very positive support from our French friends highlighting in particular Paris 2024 Sport Director Aurélie Merle, Weightlifting Manager Jacqueline White, and Michel Reynaud, President of the French Weightlifting Federation.   Our mutual expertise has led to this encouraging outcome, which will be crucial for our clean athletes and the Olympic programme,” Mr Curtain concluded. The weightlifting competition at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will take place from August 7-11 and will be contested by 120 athletes (+ two lifters from the IOC Refugee Team) in 10 bodyweight categories (five for men and five for women). IWF Communications

Armenia’s Prime Minister meets with the IWF to discuss 2027 IWF Worlds in Yerevan

The IWF President Mohammed Jalood and the IWF General Secretary Antonio Urso met today in Yerevan with the Prime Minister of Armenia, Mr Nikol Pashinyan, to discuss the preparation of the IWF World Championships, to be staged in the country in 2027. It will be the first time that the IWF showcase will be held in Armenia, a decision taken by the IWF Executive Board last March 29 in Phuket (THA), with the occasion of the IWF World Cup. Yerevan was recently a very successful host of the 2023 European Championships, a competition that established new standards in terms of sports presentation, TV production, and spectators’ attendance. Based on this achievement, the Armenian bid for the 2027 IWF World Championships was enthusiastically welcomed by the IWF. IWF President and IWF General Secretary meeting Armenia's Prime Minister, Mr Nikol Pashinyan (third from the right) “The level of commitment by our friends in Armenia is amazing and the personal interest and involvement of the Prime Minister are a solid guarantee that we will have a great competition in Yerevan! Both at the government and national federation level, the support and professionalism are outstanding. I have no doubts that these Championships will be a milestone in our history and will inspire many young lifters in Armenia – already a very strong nation in weightlifting – to pursue their career. This is also the legacy that was emphasised by the Prime Minister,” considered the IWF President Mohammed Jalood after the meeting with Mr Pashinyan. Earlier in the day, the IWF delegation was present in a media conference, together with the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Mr Arayik Harutyunyan, the Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Ms Zhanna Andreasyan, and the General Secretary of the Armenian Weightlifting Federation, Mr Pashik Alaverdyan. From left to right: Mr Antonio Urso (IWF General Secretary), Mr Mohammed Jalood (IWF President), Mr Arayik Harutyunyan (Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff), Ms Zhanna Andreasyan (Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport) and Mr Pashik Alaverdyan (General Secretary of the Armenian Weightlifting Federation) It was a privileged occasion to brief the local media about the importance of the IWF showcase, and its positive impact in the country. Details were given on the organisation of the event and the general activities to be carried out until the start of the competition. “In terms of promotion and exposure, I am sure that everyone in Armenia is determined to spread out the message and to profile the IWF World Championships, in the words of the Prime Minister, ‘as the biggest sports event ever staged in Yerevan’. With three years to go, it is quite impressive to see already the level of interest and anticipation, so it won’t be difficult to guess the atmosphere that we will live closer and during the event!” declared the IWF General Secretary. After the official meetings, both Mr Jalood and Mr Urso had the opportunity to enjoy a guided visit to the historical capital of Armenia, Yerevan, one of the world’s most ancient inhabited cities.   IWF

Lifters Mora and Jamali included in the 2024 Olympic Refugee Team

Two lifters - Ramiro Mora and Yekta Jamali - will be part of the Olympic Refugee Team at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, a group that comprises 36 athletes representing 12 sports. The announcement was made today by the IOC President Thomas Bach in Lausanne (SUI): “We welcome all of you with open arms. You are an enrichment to our Olympic Community, and to our societies”. "With your participation in the Olympic Games, you will demonstrate the human potential of resilience and excellence. This will send a message of hope to the more than 100 million displaced people around the world," continued the IOC President. Ramiro Mora receiving the good news from the IOC Both lifters now selected for the Games in Paris had the opportunity to compete recently, as part of the IWF Refugee Team, at the IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand.  Mora, originally from Cuba and based in Great Britain, was born on September 29, 1997 and ranked 18th in the men’s 102kg, after lifting 162-197-359. Jamali, living in Germany and of Iranian origin, turned 20 years old on March 31 and placed 19th in Thailand in the women’s 81kg category (100-125-225). Yekta Jamali Both athletes were part of a long list of 74 IOC Scholarship holders, with a real possibility to represent the Olympic Refugee Team at the 2024 Olympics. This is the third edition of the Games with a Refugee representation, after successful previous experiences in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020ne. “From the creation of the concept in 2015 until now, we unfortunately saw the number of refugees in the world grow from around 60 million to over 110 million. That is why these athletes must be represented and the programme was even reinforced for Paris 2024,” explained Mr Bach. From the athletes’ side, Jamali had spoken in Phuket about her challenging conditions, when arriving in Germany: “I have no family in Germany, and when I got there I could not train for about six months. But I have friends there who have been so kind and helpful. I am in Frankfurt, and I feel happy now. I hope to get a German passport.” Mora reflects on the importance of this initiative: “Being part of the Olympic Refugee Team is not just an opportunity to compete; it’s a platform to inspire and represent hope for refugees all over the world”. The IWF President Mohammed Jalood also received the IOC news with enormous joy: “The IWF is very happy to learn that two lifters – Ramiro Mora and Yekta Jamali – will be part of the IOC Refugee Team competing at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. After the creation in 2023 of the first-ever IWF Refugee programme, this decision underlines the good work our International Federation is doing in welcoming and including those athletes in our activities. It also showcases the intense work and effort from Ramiro and Yekta – they were both present in our recent IWF World Cup in Phuket (THA) –, who fully deserve their recognition from the IOC”.  “The Refugee Team project is aimed at giving a second opportunity to athletes overcoming extremely challenging situations and bringing them back to the Sport they love. I wish Ramiro and Yekta the best of luck in Paris and I thank them for representing in such a noble way the sport of weightlifting!” concluded Mr Jalood. At the IWF level, the first Refugee Team was created in 2023 and comprised seven lifters. This year, the group had six athletes, including the two that were finally selected by the IOC.  IWF Executive Board member Florian Sperl, responsible for the project in our International Federation, was also thrilled with the announcement: “Having 12 sports represented in the team, and weightlifting being one of them with two athletes, this shows the value we have in the Olympic movement. As was said by the IOC, their selection was based on two main criteria, the official refugee status (recognised by the UN), and their sports performances. This last point is very important, as it demonstrates the effort these two lifters put into becoming Olympians despite the difficulties. Congratulations to Ramiro and Yekta and all the best for Paris!” IWF