News

Last days to bid for the IWF Worlds 2024!

The IWF sent a circular to all its Member Federations reminding them that March 1, 2023 will be the last day to send an eventual Letter of Intent concerning the organisation of the IWF World Championships in 2024. The proposed period for the staging of next year’s competition is November/December. Interested hosts have therefore until this Wednesday to show their motivation to host the IWF showcase. After that, and according to the IWF Guidelines - Candidature Procedure for IWF World Championships, the IWF may conduct Evaluation Visits to the Candidate Cities, while a detailed questionnaire on the organisation of the IWF World Championships is to be filled by each bidder. Moreover, guarantee letters from national authorities (Government or City), sport (NOC) and commercial (sponsors) entities may be added to the candidature file. On the final stage of the bid, the candidates make a formal presentation to the IWF Executive Board, before a vote of its members decides on the winning city. After that, a Host City Agreement is signed and the corresponding event fee is transferred to IWF. The IWF World Championships is the global showcase of the weightlifting sport, gathering the best athletes of the planet. The 2022 edition of the event was successfully held last December in Bogota (COL), while the 2023 IWF Championships will be organised in Riyadh (KSA), from September 2-17. The Saudi Arabia rendezvous will naturally be one of the qualifying opportunities for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris

#LiftForPeace in blue and yellow

In the weightlifiting world, blue disks on a bar may be of 20 or 2kg, while yellow ones are of 15 or 1.5kg. Today, on February 24, they could mean “365” the exact number of days from the beginning of the war in Ukraine. In reality, they mean 2, the two colours of the flag of an invaded country, or 5 if we prefer: the number of letters of a word so many times written, sung, pronounced, but so often violated – Peace. The weightlifiting community stands on this day in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and is showing its aspiration for Peace through an Instagram campaign, initiated by the IWF Athletes Commission (AC). The idea is simple: the initiative comprises the lifting of a loaded bar using the blue and yellow weight plates, while wearing a white T-shirt to symbolise the call for Peace and the end of the war. The movement will depend on individual preferences and may include Deadlift, Snatch, Squat or Clean. “The goal was to call on all athletes, officials and members of our weightlifting communities to find courage to participate in the campaign to raise awareness on calling for peace between Ukraine and Russia. We have a vast community worldwide and we also have athletes and their supporting families on both sides of the conflict,” explains Forrester Osei, Chair of the IWF AC. The reaction has been largely positive, thanks to a message that is centered on a consensual and worldwide recognised value, the need for Peace. “We are not running this campaign to pass judgment on any country but this world is a free world and for any nation to attack another sovereign nation is unjustifiable and unacceptable. Many athletes from several sports were loss on both sides for a decision they had no say in. So we are recognising all our athletes caught up in this unlawfully conflict,” adds Osei, also one of the three AC representatives in the IWF Executive Board. Reflecting on the importance of this symbolic action, the Ghanaian athlete states: “We can see it as a symbol to assure our weightlifting family members in this region that we acknowledge their suffering and we stand with them and their beloved ones. In the end, we just wish they can have the freedom they rightfully deserve”. On a more personal note, Osei concludes by showing his “appreciation to those who took a bit of time on their busy training schedules to participate in this campaign, showing Ukraine and the world that IWF stands for Peace”.  [This action can be followed today and tomorrow on the Instagram page of the IWF AC at @iwf.ac – Hashtags to use: #Liftforpeace #iwfliftforpeace #Sportsorpeace #Dosportsnotwar #SolidarityUkraine #IWFAC] By Pedro Adrega, IWF

“The Worlds in Riyadh will be outstanding!”

The IWF President Mohammed Jalood and the IWF Secretary General Antonio Urso were this weekend in Riyadh (KSA) to formally sign the host agreement for the organisation of the 2023 IWF World Championships, taking place in the Saudi capital from September 2-17. The two IWF dignitaries had also the occasion to meet with the Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic Committee, Mr Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, with whom they exchanged a very fruitful discussion on the preparation of the IWF showcase. Finally, the IWF delegation also visited the Saudi Weightlifting Federation, where they were warmly welcome by its President Mohammed Alharbi (also IWF EB member and Secretary General of the Asian Weightlifting Federation). “These World Championships will be outstanding, as the involvement and support of the Saudi authorities has been, and will certainly continue being, impressive. Weightlifting is a very popular and successful sport in the country and this is of course important for the achievement of our main competition of the year. All the conditions are met for an unforgettable event, where our athletes will be able to deliver superb performances,” considered the IWF President. As a proof of this success, the IWF representatives were invited to attend the 26th General Assembly of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Sport. During the presentation of the various sports activities of the Olympic Committee, Saudi weightlifting was ranked first in the number of medals won in international events. As a result, President Mohammed Alharbi was personally awarded by the Minister of Sport. On a more operational basis, the IWF Secretary General had the opportunity to be briefed on the upcoming stages of preparation for the Championships. The venue of the competition was particularly praised by Mr Urso: “It is a fantastic complex, offering many possibilities for an innovative presentation of our Sport and a smooth organisation of these World Championships. Our weightlifters will feel very happy with these conditions and will naturally give their best in the lead-up for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games”. The IWF World Championships in Riyadh will be the pinnacle of the 2023 season and constitutes a privileged occasion to qualify for the Olympic rendezvous in the French capital. It will be held after the organisation of four continental championships - Pan-American (March 25-April 2 – Bariloche, ARG), European (April 15-23 – Yerevan, ARM), Asian (May 3-13 – Jinju, KOR) and African (May 11-20 – Tunis, TUN) – and before the staging of the Oceania showcase in Honiara (SOL), from November 20-24,

Pedro Adrega hired as new IWF Communications Manager

At its recent meeting in Rome (ITA), the IWF Executive Board approved the hiring of a new Communications Manager to run media operations, content production across all platforms and PR activities within the International Weightlifting Federation. Pedro Adrega is the new responsible for these areas and started his new functions on February 15. With a journalism background, Adrega began his career as a sports reporter, before spending more than 20 years at World Aquatics (formerly known as FINA, International Swimming Federation), where he led its Communications Department from 2008 to 2021. In his previous roles, he had the opportunity to cover the last six editions of the summer Olympic Games, and no less than 20 FINA World Championships. One of the main tasks of the new IWF Communications Manager is to create and implement an efficient communications strategy, capable of raising the profile, exposure and popularity of the IWF across the five continents. Working hand-in-hand with the IWF Continental Associations and the IWF National Federations, the objective is to give more voice and visibility to our athletes and to publicise in the best possible way their superb performances at the main IWF events. This will be done through a restructuring of the IF digital platforms, allowing the IWF community around the globe to have even more exciting news, features, behind-the-scene stories, profiles and interviews of our stars.   “In our effort to modernise and make a ‘new’ IWF, it was essential to hire a person with this kind of experience in communications. We are very happy with Pedro’s arrival, which will provide a further boost to our efforts to reinforce the IWF’s position within the Olympic Movement – our primary focus since my election last June. This appointment also strengthens the IWF’s presence in the Olympic Capital, expanding the resources of our new headquarters in Lausanne” considered the IWF President Mohammed Jalood. In addition to improving coverage of IWF athletes and events, Pedro Adrega will be tasked with handling the media operation plans during the IWF competitions, as well as the liaison between journalists and the IWF management. A PR assessment will also be undertaken in order to reinforce the vision of an IWF that is fully transparent, credible, accountable and capable of organising clean and fair competition. “The IWF has been very scrutinised and often criticised in the past for its opacity and lack of communication. We definitively want to change that! The international sport landscape is a very competitive one, and we want to show our youth that it is worth investing their time and energy in our beautiful sport. That is why we need to make it more attractive, more ‘visible’ and even more prestigious, by ensuring its place in the Games programme. This is our main mission!” said the IWF Secretary General Antonio Urso. For 2023, priority will be given to all events qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics, as the competition for a Games’ ticket is definitively fierce among the IWF Stars. Besides the continental championships – Pan-American (March 25-April 2 – Bariloche, ARG), European (April 15-23 – Yerevan, ARM), Asian (May 3-13 – Jinju, KOR) and African (May 11-20 – Tunis, TUN) – the most awaited rendezvous of the year will naturally be the IWF World Championships, taking place in Riyadh (KSA), from September 2-17. “We must not forget that the original Olympic motto comprises three words: Citius, Altius, Fortius – Faster, Higher, Stronger. Which better sport symbolises the ‘Stronger’ part of this slogan than Weightlifting? The IWF athletes are known to be physically strong people; but, most importantly, they have a very determined mind and robust will. Thanks to this undeniable motivation, they want to show the world the power and the historical importance of the sport they love. And they want to do it at all levels: from grassroots to the Olympic stage. With fair-play, excellence and legitimate effort. Communicating this passion and these values to a wider audience is what will drive my action within the IWF,” explained the new IWF Communications Manager Pedro Adrega. Pedro Adrega, IWF Communications

IWF Continental Federations meet to drive forward reform

Presidents and Secretary Generals of the IWF Continental Federations are gathering this weekend in Rome, Italy to discuss plans to accelerate weightlifting’s reform and development around the world. The annual Intercontinental Meeting is being held for the first time under the sport’s new global leadership, following the election of IWF President Mohammed Jalood and the appointment of IWF Secretary General Antonio Urso in 2022. Representatives from all five Continental Federations were present as the meeting got underway on Friday, February 10 with a visit to the headquarters of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI.) CONI President and Member of the International Olympic Committee Giovanni Malagò hosted the 12-person IWF delegation and heard how significant work undertaken since last June’s electoral congress has created the blueprint for step-change cultural and governance reform in the sport. Mr Malagò praised the new direction as a pathway to a positive future for weightlifting, urging those present to follow the roadmap through the next phase of its implementation. Discussions will continue on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 February, when delegates will also debate and share plans to grow participation and engagement in weightlifting across the five continents. IWF President Mohammed Jalood said: “The positive and active engagement of our IWF Continental Federations will be crucial to achieving our objectives to shape a new and thriving future for weightlifting on a global scale. Our continental colleagues are the ones driving the majority of development in our sport. We are excited to work together to accelerate the growth of weightlifting in line with the principles and values set out in our revised

IWF President visits Cuba and Dominican Republic

IWF President, Mohammed Jalood, together with Pan American Weightlifting Federation President, José Quinones visited, Havana, Cuba between 22nd and 25th January 2023. The aim of the visit was to see the preparations for the IWF Grand Prix, to be organized in June 2023 which is a qualification event for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Mr. Jalood and Mr. Quinones met the Cuban Authorities, the INDER, the Cuban Olympic Committee and also Mrs. Maria de la Caridad Colón Ruenes, Cuban IOC Member. They had the opportunity to visit the Anti-Doping Laboratory, the Manuel Fajardo University of Sciences of Physical Culture and Sport and the different facilities of the Cuban Weightlifting Federation. At these meetings they had fruitful discussions with the Rector of the University, weightlifting professors and coaches, weightlifters. Also, the competition and training venue for the IWF Grand Prix has been presented by the Cuban Weightlifting Federation which is making good progress to host the event in June. ‘The Cuban Federation felt honored with the presence of the IWF and PAWF leadership and looks forward to organize a great event' said Mr. Jorge Luis Barcelán, President. After Cuba, IWF President and PAWF President traveled to Santo Domingo to see the preparations of the Central American and Caribbean Championships, qualification event for the Central American and Caribbean Games. They visited the competition and training venue, the Headquarters of the Weightlifting Federation of Dominican Republic. They had meetings with the Federation, the Organizing Committee of the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, the President of the Olympic Committee of Dominican Republic and Mr. Luis Mejia Oviedo, IOC Member. Mr. Willian Felix Ozuna, President of Dominican Federation said the arrangements are going properly and they look forward to welcome the participants from the Central and Caribbean region.