News

IWF to revise its Olympic quota withdrawal decision

At its recent meeting in Cali, Colombia, the IWF Executive Board put under revision its earlier decision of 11 March 2008, according to which Olympic qualification quota should be withdrawn from countries producing positive doping results between 1 January and August of 2008. That particular measure was intended to underline the IWF's extremely strong and determined fight against the abuse of doping. With regard to the fact, however, -         that the Olympic Games are the event of the International Olympic Committee and come under its jurisdiction, -         that the Olympic Qualification Regulations for the 2008 Beijing Games were approved by the IOC already at the middle of 2006, -         that the above stipulation of the IWF was not included in the approved Qualification Regulation for Weightlifting and no such modification can be made at this late date, after consulting the IOC, the IWF acknowledges that it will not implement its former decision for Beijing 2008. At the same time, the countries concerned have the right to return Olympic quota to the IWF, and the IWF very much appreciates if such NOCs, adopting the principles and the spirit of the anti-doping fight, are willing to do so. The IWF has already determined to include such rule into the Qualification Regulation for the next, the 2012 London Olympic

IWF eliminates World Standards from World Record list

Following the proposal of the Scientific and the Technical Committees, the IWF Executive Board decided to eliminate the so-called "World Standards" from the list of World Records. As it is known, with the introduction of the current set of bodyweight categories, on 1st January 1998, World Standards were created based upon previous best performances, any result exceeding those to be recognised as the World Record on the lift or on the total. Since 1998, almost all of these marks have been exceeded, in most cases several times, except for 4 results in the men's 85kg, 94kg and 105kg.Now, according to the decision of the IWF, the best performances achieved on these lifts since 1st January 1998 up to today are recognised as the Current World Records. The official World Record List has been updated

Russian lifter sets world record in final act at Colombia

On the final day of the 2008 Junior World Championships in Cali, colombia, Russian Evgeny PISAREV set a new junior world record in the +105kg category with 196kg in snatch. In the men's team classification Russia dominated, with Ukraine and Iran taking second and third positions, respectively. Team Classification - MEN                               Medal Table - MEN The host country, Colombia proved to be the best among the female teams; Turkey finished in second, Russia in third position. Team Classification - WOMEN                          Medal Table - WOMEN In the absence of the Chinese squads, keen fights characterized many categories with a close finish among the top contenders. New nations like Tunisia and Egypt emerged with protagonists who won Champion

Junior World Championships opened in Cali

The leading weightlifting power in South America, Colombia is hosting the 34th Men's and 14th Women's Junior World Championships in the "Capital of Colombian Sport", Santiago de Cali. Competitions started on 15th June 2008 at the "Centro de Eventos Valle de Pacifico". 42 nations are taking part. Results can be followed on this website: 2008 JWC

In the aftermath of the Greek doping cases

The IWF Executive Board at its meeting on 13 June 2008 listened to the report of the Hearing Panel of the 11 Greek athletes who had proved positive in an out-of-competition control on 7 March 2008. Yannis Sgouros, IWF General Secretary confirmed to the Board that since 2005 he had not borne any function in the Hellenic Weightlifting Federation, nor was he associated in any way with these cases. As regards the issue, he supported the most stringent action or decisions possible. Although he had no relation whatsoever with the athletes and officials concerned, as a Greek person he was aware of the gravity of this unprecedeentede situation and offered his resignation as General Secretary of the IWF. The Executive Board unanimously rejected his offer and reconfirmed full confidence to Mr. Sgouros. The athletes concerned as well as the Greek Federation were duly sanctioned. All the eleven athletes were suspended for two years. As it is known, Greece had obtained Olympic quota for 5 men and 3 women. The Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Hellenic Weightlifting Federation and the IWF agreed that Greece would enter only 3 male and 1 female weightlifters to the 2008 Beijing Olympic

IWF recognizes IOC decision on suspension of the Iraq NOC and Federations

The IWF has received and recognized the IOC's decision on the provisional suspension of the National Olympic Committee and - among others - the Weightlifting Federation of Iraq.Quote: The Iraqi National Olympic Committee is suspended on a provisional basis ? with all the consequences provided by the Olympic Charter - as a protective measure due to the interferences from the Iraqi government authorities. The IOC does not recognize any 'interim committee' nor any other officers appointed by the Iraqi government authorities to supervise the NOCI or the Iraqi Olympic and sports movement and reiterates its full support to the office bearers of the NOCI and Olympic and sports movement who were legitimately elected. The IOC - together with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and the Iraqi NOC office bearers who were legitimately elected - will invite representatives of the Iraqi government authorities in order to analyse the situation and find appropriate solutions for the Iraqi NOC and the Iraqi Olympic and sports movement as a whole, including the athletes, provided that the principles and rules laid down in the Olympic Charter will always be strictly observed, in particular the autonomy of the Iraqi NOC and the Olympic and sports movement. The IOC will continue to look for ways to help Iraqi athletes, although the situation created by the Iraqi government authorities makes the task very difficult.UnquoteIn the case of weightlifting, it means that the participation of the one athlete (quota obtained by Iraq) in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is subject to the further development of the above situation.Look for updates on