News

Albania Selected as Host of 2022 IWF Electoral Congress

April 13, 2022 - Lausanne, Switzerland – Today, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Executive Board announced the selection of Tirana, Albania as the country in which it will host the upcoming 2022 IWF Electoral Congress set to take place on 25-26 June.In an open tender process, all candidates were invited to submit their nomination forms and all related documents in advance of the IWF Executive Board meeting.With 10 countries vying to host the IWF Electoral Congress, each were given the opportunity to present their proposal to the IWF Executive Board. Additional information was further requested after the presentations. Soon after, each member of the IWF EB were asked to submit their confidential vote for their preferred host (each member was permitted one vote). With a majority vote, Tirana was selected as the preferred host. Notably, Albania will provide a neutral setting for the upcoming Electoral Congress as there are no candidates put forth by the national weightlifting federation.Tirana is the capital and largest city of Albania, located in the centre of the country it is enclosed by mountains and hills to east with a slight valley to the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea.IWF Interim President, Dr. Michael Irani commented, “We are so pleased to be heading to Tirana for the 2022 IWF Electoral Congress. This is a very important milestone for us, as we were asked by our Olympic partners to address three issues this past year – first updating our constitution which has been completed, second cleaning up our sport from doping which we are happy to report that there have been zero cases in Tokyo 2020 and now the election coming up this summer will complete all three. I am looking forward to the congress and to the important decisions we will make for the future of our sport.”IWF General Secretary, Mohamed Jaloud added, “We have had overwhelming interest from around the world from cities and countries interested in hosting our electoral congress. It was a very hard decision, but we are looking forward to going to Tirana. We are confident that they will deliver a flawless event and ensure that the weightlifting family is supported on all levels. We could not ask for a better partner.”President of the Albanian Olympic Committee, Fidel Ylli said, “We are so pleased to have been selected as host of the 2022 IWF Electoral Congress. With our hosting and hospitality experience, we know that we will be able to provide the IWF with all the support needed to host an excellent event. Furthermore, the IWF is a great partner with a dynamic future, we are looking forward to welcoming the weightlifting family to Tirana in June.”For any questions, please

ITA – IWF Webinar Series // Third Webinar – 14 April 2022

We are pleased to invite the weightlifting community to the first webinar series organized by ITA on behalf of IWF in 2022. In the course of 5 weeks, 5 webinars are provided covering the key Anti-Doping areas. The third webinar information are the following: Topic: Medications, Supplements, Prohibited List and TUEs (Including the Principle of Strict Liability ) Date and time: 14 April 2022, 14:00-15:00 CET Registration link  The webinar will be in English and simultaneous translation will be provided in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish. The athletes and athlete support personnel who take part in all 5 webinars will receive program completion

CGF confirm Victoria, Australia as host of 2026 Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has confirmed that the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be hosted by the State of Victoria in Australia.  The announcement follows a successful exclusive dialogue period between the CGF, Commonwealth Games Australia (CGAus) and Victoria, where an exciting proposal to stage the major multi-sport competition across the State was agreed.  The proposal capitalises on the 2026/30 Strategic Roadmap, which provides renewed flexibility to be innovative and creative in delivering the Games. In what will be a first ever predominantly regional Commonwealth Games, Victoria 2026 will be staged in March 2026 across multiple cities and regional hubs including Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland. The Opening Ceremony will take place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The approach will showcase the best of what the State has to offer and ensure a uniquely Victorian experience for the athletes and spectators.  There will be a phased approach in creating the sports programme for Victoria 2026. An initial 16 sports have been put forward for the Games, with further sports to be added later this year.  The CGF, CGAus and Victoria entered an exclusive dialogue period in February 2022. A CGF and CGAus visit to Victoria took place later that month. This was followed by a Victoria 2026 delegation presenting their 2026 Games Proposal to the CGF Executive Board in Birmingham, England in March 2022. The Proposal has now been approved by the CGF Executive Board, with the Host Contract to be signed in Victoria today.  CGF President Dame Louise Martin said: “The Commonwealth Games Federation is absolutely delighted to award the 2026 Commonwealth Games to Victoria.  Commonwealth Games Australia and the Victorian Government have set out a bold and innovative vision for hosting our major multi-sport event.  In Victoria, we believe we have found the perfect partner for the next stage of our journey.  This a very special moment for the Commonwealth Sport Family and on behalf of the entire Movement, I would like to congratulate Commonwealth Games Australia and Victoria on their successful Games submission. We now look forward to a bright future as we work together to stage a Commonwealth Games like no other.” Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews said: “It’s a great honour to have Victoria chosen as the host venue for the 2026 Commonwealth Games – we can’t wait to welcome the world to all of our state.” “The Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria is great for jobs, hospitality and our economy.” Australia has staged the Commonwealth Games on five occasions, with Victoria playing host to the Melbourne 2006 Games; widely considered one of the most successful editions of the event in history. The country has also staged the Games in Sydney in 1938, Perth in 1962, Brisbane in 1982 and most recently Gold Coast in 2018. Victoria has also hosted the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bendigo in 2004." Commonwealth Games Australia President Ben Houston said: “Commonwealth Games Australia is thrilled to welcome the athletes of the Commonwealth back to Australia and we look forward to working with both the CGF and the Victorian Government to bring the Games to life across Victoria in 2026.” “A home Games will provide immeasurable benefits for our Member sports and will inspire our athletes in what will be a unique and exciting Games”. The 2026 Games will be the 23rd edition of the major multi-sport competition, which first began in Hamilton, Canada in 1930. Victoria is a world leading major events and tourism destination. The State has a strong track record for staging high profile sporting competition including The Australian Open tennis grand slam, the Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup. Victoria also regularly hosts elite cricket, golf and Australian Rules Football competition. The 2022 Commonwealth Games will be staged in Birmingham, England from 28 July – 8 August. Victoria 2026: Initial 16 sports on programme  Source: Commonwealth

Entry List is Now Available for the 2022 IWF Junior World Championships

The entry list of the 2022 IWF Junior World Championships is now available here. Compared to previously published entry lists, this new version not only includes the current ranking based on entry totals but any time someone makes a change in their bodyweight category or entry total, the ranking and the categories are automatically

Said Bin Marhoon Al Ghabshi Passed Away

IWF is mourning the passing of Said Bin Marhoon Al Ghabshi, President of Weightlifting Federation of Oman.Mohammed Jalood, IWF General Secretary also paid his tribute:"He was like a brother to me. He was greatly admired and respected by all those who were fortunate to meet him. We had lost a great weightlifting leader with his passing."IWF send its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, to the Weightlifting Federation of Oman and to the Asian Weightlifting

ITA – IWF Webinar Series // Second Webinar – 07 April 2022

We are pleased to invite the weightlifting community to the first webinar series organized by ITA on behalf of IWF in 2022. In the course of 5 weeks, 5 webinars are provided covering the key Anti-Doping areas. The second webinar information are the following: Topic: The Doping Control Process (Including testing procedures (urine and blood) and ABP) Date and time: 07 April 2022, 14:00-15:00 CET Registration link  The webinar will be in English and simultaneous translation will be provided in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish. The athletes and athlete support personnel who take part in all 5 webinars will receive program completion