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IWF Opens Nomination Process for First Athletes’ Commission Elections

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has officially opened the nomination process for the first IWF Athletes’ Commission elections, with National Federations invited to submit candidates up until 3 October 2022. The final list of candidates will be published on 3 November 2022. The elections will then take place on 5-16 December 2022 in Bogotá, Colombia during the 2022 IWF World Championships. It will be the first time that elections have been held for the IWF Athletes’ Commission and reflects the federation’s commitment to ensuring a strong athlete voice is represented. Following the elections, the IWF will break new ground in athlete representation by having three athletes on the IWF Executive Board and also having three athletes as full voting members of the IWF Congress. IWF General Secretary Antonio Urso said: „We are delighted to open up the nomination process for the very first IWF Athletes’ Commission elections. This is a very important step for the IWF as we honour the good governance principles set out in our new Constitution and ensure that athletes are at the heart of our sport. We encourage all National Federations to consider putting forward athletes that can make a valuable contribution to the future of weightlifting.” IWF Athletes’ Commission Chair Forrester Osei added: „This is a very proud moment for me and our sport as we will see athletes elected to the Athletes’ Commission for the first time. The current Athletes’ Commission has worked hard to strengthen the athlete voice within the IWF and these elections mark the next step forward in our progress. We are excited to see the athletes who are nominated and their ideas for the future as we look forward to the elections in December.”  The nomination documents can be found

IWF President Visits Bahrain

IWF President visit boost for Bahrain President of the International Weightlifting Federation, His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Jalood Al Shammari, recently visited the Kingdom of Bahrain, during which he attended meetings with Bahrain sports leading figures. His visit also aimed to look into the Kingdom of Bahrain's preparations to host the 2022 Asian Weightlifting Championships. The IWF president admired the steps taken by the nation as a build up to the championships, and wished everyone all success in organizing this continental event. His Highness asserts support to weightlifting His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, met Mr. Mohammed Jalood Al Shammari, President of the International Weightlifting Federation. The meeting was attended by His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, deputy chairman of the General Sports Authority, Dr. Abdul Rahman Sadiq Askar, CEO of General Sports Authority, Faris Mustafa Al Kooheji, Secretary General of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and Eshaq Ebrahim Eshaq, President of the Bahrain Weightlifting Federation. During the meeting, His Highness Shaikh Khalid  noted the great efforts of the IWF to promote  the sport around the world by organizing a series of tournaments, programs and events under its umbrella. His Highness also stressed the importance of weightlifting as one of the Olympic sports, which has contributed to its popularity among various athletes in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He asserted the Kingdom's keenness to strengthen bilateral cooperation with the IWF to develop weightlifting worldwide. On his part, Mr. Al Shammari expressed gratitude to His Highness Shaikh Khalid for the hospitality and warm reception, and noted the efforts of Bahrain in supporting the sport. He wished the Kingdom and its federation further success and progress. IWF efforts hailed His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Vice-President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, has praised the efforts of the International Weightlifting Federation to improve the sport in various parts of the world. This was announced at his meeting with President of the International Weightlifting Federation, Mr. Mohammed Jalood Al Shammari, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Olympic Committee, Faris Mustafa Al-Kooheji, and President of the Bahrain Weightlifting Federation Eshaq Ebrahim Eshaq. His Highness Shaikh Isa  welcomed the IWF President and expressed his appreciation for the important role played by the  federation in developing and promoting the sport by holding  a series of global, continental and regional championships, which it organizes and supervises in cooperation with  Confederations and national federations. His Highness affirmed the backing of the Kingdom of Bahrain, thanks to the efforts of the General Sports Authority and the Bahrain Olympic Committee, headed by His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and the  significant role played by the BWF, which has made great strides in developing the sport while its champions athletes have achieved many outstanding results over the last period. On his part, Mr. Al Shammari, expressed gratitude to His Highness Shaikh Isa for the good hospitality, and strong  relations between the International and Bahraini Federations, which would achieve common interests for the two parties. Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the Olympic Committee, Faris Al Kooheji, affirmed the BOC's support to weightlifting and creating the champions of tomorrow in this Olympic sport. He said that organizing the Asian Championships for the first time in the history of the sport is the best witness to this interest. He lauded the efforts of the IWF and its support for its Bahraini counterpart. On his part, President of the BWF Eshaq Ebrahim Eshaq valued the support offered by the IWF to all national federations and stressed that this visit reflects the valuable relations between the two parties. He stressed his federation’s keenness to enhance bilateral cooperation and that the Kingdom’s bid to host the Asian Championships reflects the federation’s keenness on the continuous development of the sport. Asian Championships Press Conference Held President of the International Weightlifting Federation, His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Jalood Al Shammari, has attended the press conference of the Asian Weightlifting Championship 2022, staged by the organizing committee on Thursday, September 1 at Gilgamesh Hall, Golden Tulip Hotel, to officially announce the Kingdom of Bahrain’s hosting of the championships. The event will be held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin  Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority and president of the Bahrain Olympic Committee. The event is organized by the Bahrain Weightlifting Federation and supervised by the Asian Weightlifting Federation from October 6 to 16, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The IWF President praised the preparations of Bahrain for this continental event, expressing his confidence in Bahrain's success in hosting the championships, and wishing all the participants success. He also thanked the BWF, headed by His Excellency Mr.  Eshaq Ebrahim Eshaq, for their excellent preparation for the

IWF Executive Board meets virtually to discuss key matters

The new International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Executive Board (EB) met virtually to discuss a number of pressing matters that will support the continued development of the federation.  The upcoming IWF Athletes’ Commission (AC) election was discussed as Commission Chair Forrester Christopher Osei presented the changes the AC has made to the candidature forms for election, which will be distributed in September.The election will take place during the IWF World Championships in Bogota on 5-16 December 2022. The EB unanimously elected EB Member and British Weightlifting Federation CEO/General Secretary Matthew Curtain as the IF Delegate for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Fellow EB Member, Sam Coffa, was appointed as the Technical Delegate for the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation and Oceania Weightlifting Federation General Secretary Paul Coffa was appointed as the Technical Delegate for the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Updates were also provided on the federation’s TV/Digital production and media rights distribution. The EB heard presentations from interested external parties and agreed to a three-day extension to allow for further discussion before taking a final decision.   The EB approved the creation of three new Commissions: Weightlifting Sport and Innovation Commission Membership Commission Public Relations and Communications Commission The composition and terms of reference for the Commissions will be announced in due course. In collaboration with the European Weightlifting Federation, the EB agreed to provide financial assistance to Ukrainian weightlifters who are currently training in Romania. The EB acknowledged the Romanian Weightlifting Federation for the support they have provided to date.  The EB also approved ZhangKong Company (ZKC) as its official supplier for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The next EB meeting will take place in person in Rome on 3 October

IWF – ITA meeting – August 23, 2022

On 23 August 2022 the new IWF leadership had its first official meeting with Mr Benjamin Cohen, Director General of the International Testing Agency (ITA) to discuss the future plan aimed at protecting clean athletes and promoting clean sport.   On the meeting the IWF was represented by Mr Mohammed Jalood, IWF President, Mr Antonio Urso, IWF General Secretary, Mrs Ursula Papandrea Garza, IWF First Vice President and Mr Rune Andersen, IWF Anti-Doping Commission Chairman.   Among the topics discussed were the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Testing  (In- and Out-of-Competition), and the Importance of Investing in Intelligence and Education.   ITA, in cooperation with the IWF Anti-Doping Commission will propose to the Executive Board future proposals on how the current Anti-Doping program could be revolutionazed which the Board will discuss on 3rd October in Rome at their next in-person meeting.  

Full support for the World Championships in Colombia

25th August 2022, Pan American Weightlifting Federation President, Mr. José Quiñones together with Colombian Weightlifting Federation President, Mr. William Peña met in Bogota, Colombia with Ms. Maria Isabel Urrutia, Minister of Sports of Colombia, Olympic Champion in weightlifting in Sydney, in 2000. During the meeting, IWF President, Mr. Mohammed Jalood joined virtually and expressed his confidence in Bogota, Colombia for the upcoming IWF World Championships in December 2022 which will be the first qualification event for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Ms. Urrutia confirmed the absolute support of the Colombian Authorities to have a successful