Chinese weekend at the Arnold Sports Festival
This year's edition of the invitational weightlifting exhibition at the Arnold (Schwarzenegger) Sports Festival in the US will feature some Chinese Junior world champions.Check out for more news:
Working Group prepares Beijing in Budapest
On 26 February 2008, a Working Group composed of IWF President Dr.Tamás Aján, General Secretary, Mr.Yannis Sgouros, 1st Vice-President, Mr.Sam Coffa and Mrs. Fany Zora, Assistant General Secretary met in Budapest to prepare the next Executive Board meeting, focusing on subjects regarding the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.The meeting offered an opportunity for the Greek and the Australian officials to share their comments and views with www.iwf.net concerning the upcoming Olympic Games.Yannis Sgouros, IWF General Secretary:"Four years ago the Games took place in a small country with big history. Now the Games move to a huge country like China. While helping the younger generation to realize their dreams, we should teach them the history of the sport, including the fantastic 2004 Olympic Games. We should implement the real values of sport and Olympism: life without doping, without violence; life with sport and culture. We trust that these ideals will be prevalent in China, as well.""What is the post-Olympic life of the 2004 Olympic Weightlifting Hall?""The future of the Nikea Hall is still under negotiation. The government has a strong wish to give the hall to the University of Piraeus. At the same time, the Hellenic Weightlifting Federation is eager to use it together with the University. Debates are still going on. However, it is evident that the achievements of our weightlifters are part of modern Greece's history. Greeks still love and admire our winning Dream Team. I hope we can continue writing weightlifting history in this hall.""What are you focusing on at the Beijing Olympics as General Secretary?""Being a Greek, it is not easy for me to say the Games in China will give more to the world than we did. Certainly, however, it will offer exciting new features given that the world has developed rapidly during the last for years, and China is still partly undiscovered to the world. As far as the IWF is concerned: we are stronger and better prepared than any time before, and together with hosts we are ready to organize an unforgettable competition."Sam Coffa, Australia, IWF 1st Vice-President and Technical Committee Chairman:"As Technical Delegate to the Games, my main job is to supervise the technical preparation of the Beijing competitions. From this point of view I have to say everything is absolutely perfect. In June I fly to China for the fourth time during this preparation period and check everything once more. We want to be the best. Luckily enough, despite the cultural differencies the Chinese collegues are very cooperative. I am very satisfied with the work we have done. But I must confess, sometimes we moved slowly as they always had to consult with another superior and another and so on. This situation is strange for a foreigner and it was a little challenging for us.""Could you predict the possible gold medal winners in weightlifting?""Particularly in the women's field we experience a very strong Chinese dominance. I think just the superheavy is open between the Chinese and the Korean lifter. The men categories up to 77 kg will also be dominated by Chinese and the others by Europeans. The superheavy might be the exception. The wide distribution of medals is important for us as international federation but I think we will hear the Chinese national anthem many
Singapore to host First Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2010
Singapore will host the 1st Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2010. The result was unveiled by IOC President Jacques Rogge at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. IOC Members voted by mail and Singapore beat Moscow in the final by 53 votes to 44. "The Youth Olympic Games are the flagship of the IOC's determination to reach out to young people. These Games will not only be about competition. They will also be the platform through which youngsters will learn about Olympic values and the benefits of sport, and share their experiences with other communities around the globe. We are looking forward to joining in the celebration in Singapore in 2010," Rogge commented on the decision.The Youth Olympic Games aim to bring together approximately 3,200 athletes - aged 14 to 18 - from around the world to participate in high-level competitions. The sports programme will encompass all sports on the programme of the 2012 Summer Games with a limited number of disciplines and events.In accordance with the IWF's decision, approved by the IOC, weightlifting will feature on the Games with the following criteria:Bodyweight Categories (11 Events) Women: 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg and +63kg Men: 56kg, 62kg, 69kg, 77kg, 85kg and +85kg Age Group: 16-17 yearsIn 6 (six) competition days and the quota is 110 competitors altogether."We congratulate to Singapore, which is most capable of hosting the Youth Games at a high level. The Games will certainly give a further impetus to the development of our sport and its popularity among the young," said Dr. Tamás Aján, IWF President, commenting on the
Pan America has new officials
The Weightlifting Federation of Chile, under the able guidance of President Cristian Harthey Silva, organized the Electoral Congress of the Pan American Weightlifting Federation, 14-17 February 2008. The Congress in Santiago de Chile that convened representatives from 23 countries of the Continent was held in a pleasant environment and at a high standard of hospitality. The presence of the IWF President, Dr. Tamás Aján assured that all procedures went in accordance with the rules of the PWF and the IWF. Delegates expressed their gratitude to the outgoing President, Andres Vargas (PUR) and General Secretary, Jose Herrera (VEN) for their devoted activities.At the top of the new Executive body of the Federation Willian Ozuna (DOM) was elected as President for the next term. The General Secretary is David Montero Gomez (BRA) and the Treasurer is Luis Zambrano Andrade (ECU).Vice-Presidents are: Rafael Pacho Gonzalez (CUB), Andres Vargas (PUR), Kyle Pierce (USA), Eduardo Gonzalez (VEN) and Dr. Rosalio A. Alvarado (MEX).A group photo of the Congress participantsIWF President Dr. Tamás Aján with Pan American officials - President Willian Ozuna on the
IWF President visits Teheran for Namdjou Cup
The new leadership of the Iranian Weightlifting Federation, under the baton of Mr. Bahram Afsharzadeh, an experienced leader and former NOC General Secretary, has set a new line of governance in the country's weightlifting sport. In an attempt to reunite the heros of the past, great champions like Mahmoud Namdjou or Mohamed Nassiri, and the Iranian and international elite of today, they revived the Namdjou Cup and organised its 8th edition in Teheran.In a large-scale event with substantial international participation, competitors enjoy the benefits of a venue built and used specifically and exclusively for weightlifting. Dr. Tamás Aján, IWF President and IOC Member highlighted the competitions with his presence. The IWF President also used his presence in Teheran to visit the office of the Asian Weightlifting Federation General
2008 Junior World Championships in Cali
The 2008 Junior World Championships will be held in Cali, Colombia, from 10th to 19th of June. The accommodation will be in two 5 star hotels. The participation rate will be 95/120.- USD in double/single room, respectively.Please find all details in the
