News

The IWF Constitution Reform and Electoral Congress receives support from Member Federations

Only a few short days have passed since the IWF Executive Board circulated a call for a Constitution Reform Congress and an Electoral Congress to be held from 24 to 27 March in Lausanne. However, more than one hundred Member Federations have already contacted the IWF to show their support for this decision. The IWF would like to express its gratitude and acknowledge the Member Federations in question. Together, we can deliver the reform our sport needs to ensure a brighter

Update to Member Federations

Only a few days have passed since the IWF Executive Board (EB) appointed me as Interim President, but already I am happy to be able to report on some key progress. It is very much apparent we have no time to lose when it comes to delivering progress in vital areas of anti-doping and governance reform. The IOC has made it clear to us that how we act now will directly affect weightlifting’s place on the Olympic Programme for Paris 2024. Throughout my involvement in this sport, the welfare of weightlifters has been my absolute priority. That will not change. It is up to all of us to now move the situation forward and secure the possibility for our young lifters to take their place on the Olympic platform. As the fourth IWF President within six months, I am very much aware that different people have different versions of recent events. Ursula Papandrea has, for example, voiced criticism. The EB has already addressed a number of the issues she raised with the IOC, while concentrating on moving weightlifting forward. As you can imagine, these initial days have been filled with triage – prioritising the urgent issues. Of most importance has been the confirmation that any changes to the Olympic Qualification System that might become necessary on account of COVID-19 will be entirely consistent with the principles already agreed, notably those around clean sport. We have moved quickly to further consolidate the independence and professionalism of anti-doping efforts in international weightlifting, by finalising a contract to extend our partnership with the International Testing Agency (ITA) to the end of 2024. The ITA is also following up on the cases revealed by the investigation carried out by Professor Richard McLaren and his team. We have encouraged and empowered the ITA to be as transparent as they can with this process. Deadlines, meanwhile, can be helpful in focusing minds and ensuring accountability. So we have been happy to notify Member Federations of a Constitution Reform Congress to be held on 24th and 25th March 2021 in Lausanne, and understand that Swiss law would allow for this to take place in a hybrid online / offline format if necessary on account of the pandemic. Similarly, we have notified members of an Electoral Congress to take place in the same location and in the same way on 26th and 27th March. To satisfactorily complete the task of renewing our governance framework and policies in time for a March Congress will require great commitment and also independent professional expertise. Fortunately, the IWF is able to call on this in the form of external legal and governance experts as members of the Reform and Governance Commission and as members of the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission. The EB is moving quickly to ensure the right people are appointed, on the understanding that bringing in outside experts was a key part of the way we successfully satisfied the IOC’s previous concerns on anti-doping. As the EB carries out this work for reforming the IWF, we must also maintain our focus on competition and development. We would like to take a moment to recognise the efforts of so many lifters and coaches to keep improving throughout the pandemic. And we would like to recognise the efforts of so many clubs to continue providing opportunities for our young lifters. Clearly these efforts are paying dividends, in the form of record entries for our first Online Youth World Cup, to be held from 11 to 18 November. More than 450 lifters from more than 60 countries are entered, effectively demonstrating the next generation’s strength in numbers. Much more progress will be required in the coming months, of course. We are committed to delivering that progress. Thank you for your support. Yours sincerely, Dr. Michael Irani IWF Interim President Mohammed Jalood IWF General

IWF Constitution Reform and Electoral Congress

On 15th October, the IWF Executive Board decided on the date of the next IWF Constitution Reform and Electoral Congress. According to the decision, the Congress will be held between 24th and 27th March 2021, in either Lausanne, Switzerland or Istanbul, Turkey. Due to the unpredictable situation of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Executive Board is currently looking into further possibilities in case the restrictions caused by the virus will not allow for the IWF Congress to be held in either location. Preliminary Schedule of the Congress: Day of arrival:                                                           23rd March 2021 (Tuesday) IWF Constitution Reform Congress:                        24th -25th March (Wednesday-Thursday) IWF Electoral Congress:                                          26th-27th March (Friday-Saturday) Departure:                                                                28th March 2021 (Sunday) The IWF EB reserves the right to change the place and date of the Congress. In case of any change the decision will be duly communicated to the Member Federations and

China’s National Weightlifting Championships

The Chinese National Weightlifting Championships was organized to meet the desire of weightlifting competition for Chinese lifters after a long period! The National Championships for Chinese males lifters is held between October 16 and 19 in Shaoyang, Hunan Province, where the 2021 Asian Weightlifting Championships will be hosted next year, and for female lifters from October 22 to 25 in Kaihua, Zhejiang Province, the hometown of Mr. ZHAN Xugang, weightlifting Champion in both 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, and in which province the 2022 Asian Games will be hosted. The two Championships have attracted 498 athlete entries in total, with 282 male lifters and 216 female lifters. CCTV (China Central Television) will broadcast live all categories of both events and CHINADA will implement the doping tests for both events. In order to ensure the health of all participants, athletes in particular, Chinese Weightlifting Association and the local governments have formulated a strict epidemic prevention and control plan, and all participants shall abided by related plan and rules. Spectators will be admitted to attend both Championships, operating at 75 per cent spectator capacity. Both events are also considered as simulation competitions of Tokyo Olympic Games for Chinese National Team, with athletes including Olympic Champions Ms. DENG Wei, Mr. LYU Xiaojun and Mr. SHI Zhiyong, as well as World Champions Ms. HOU Zhihui, Ms. LI Yajun, Ms. ZHANG Wangli, Ms. WANG Zhouyu, Ms. AO Hui, Ms. LI Wenwen, Mr. LI Fabin, Mr. CHEN Lijun, HUANG Minhao and Mr. YANG

Dr Michael Irani, IWF Interim President

In accordance with the IWF Constitution and By-laws the IWF Executive Board at its meeting held on October 15, 2020 appointed Dr. Michael Irani (GBR) as IWF Interim President. Dr. Irani is Chair of the IWF Medical Committee and a former Chair of the IWF Anti-Doping Commission. Dr Irani has extensive experience of the fight against doping and in safeguarding athlete welfare. Accepting the position, Dr. Irani said: “I am grateful to the IWF Executive Board for entrusting me with the Presidency on an interim basis. I do not intend to stand as a candidate for the IWF President position in the future, so I will be able to focus fully on the reforms leading up to a clear and transparent IWF Congress.” Dr Irani also voiced his gratitude to the IWF EB, Commissions and Member Federations for their continued commitment to key reforms in anti-doping, the IWF Constitution and governance. Welcoming the formation of the IWF Athletes’ Commission, whose Chairperson will be invited to participate in all future board meetings, Dr. Irani and the IWF EB committed to achieving to further progress in governance and constitutional reforms, and to implement the changes as soon as possible. “I am confident we can achieve an ambitious reform programme,” continued Dr Irani. “And as an encouraging sign, I am pleased to note the IWF Executive Board has decided to extend our agreement with the International Testing Agency for the whole of the next Olympic cycle, until 2024. This will enable us to continue the successful cooperation by which the ITA has managed the IWF's robust anti-doping activity, in a way that is independent from us as the sport’s governing

Statement of the IWF Executive Board October 14, 2020

Following the IOC Executive Board meeting and IOC President's expressing strong concerns, especially the progress regarding the Governance and Constitutional changes, the IWF Executive Board at its recent emergency meeting of 13 October thoroughly discussed the situation, focusing on the issues raised by the IOC as well as some of the recommendations detailed in the independent investigation led my Professor Richard McLaren. The IWF EB is firmly committed to further progress on all fronts and decided the following immediate actions in order to demonstrate its determination and deliver governance reforms, including appointments of independent advisers. 1          Approved the independent members of the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission 2          Approved the independent members of the Reform and Governance Commission In both Commissions we have members who are independent experts and professional persons. Having concluded the appointment process and the elaboration of their Terms of Reference, both Commissions are to start their activity immediately. One of the key focus of the Reform and Governance Commission is to modernise and strengthen the IWF Constitution and By-Laws applying good governance principles ahead of the IWF elections in March 2021. The strong concerns of the IOC regarding the governance reforms, and the perceived lack of progress, are also the immediate concern of the EB. During the meeting the EB decided to revoke the appointment of Ursula Papandrea as Acting Interim President. The EB thanks Ms. Papandrea for her contribution in the last few months and counts on her continued support as Vice President. According to the IWF Constitution & By-Laws, By-Law to 4.2.1.1, point 14, the 1st Vice President automatically fulfils the President's functions in case of vacancy. Consequently, Major General Intarat Yodbangtoey chaired the meeting and in order to speed up the governance reforms, he will call the IWF Constitution Reform and Electoral Congress for the end of March 2021 immediately. The IWF Executive Board will meet again in a very short time to consider the position of Interim President. The EB also selected Mr. Sam Coffa (AUS) as EB member to fill the vacancy on the Executive Board. Regarding the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Qualification System, the EB confirmed its commitment to the original principles of the Qualification System, including the eligibility criteria and strong Anti-Doping elements praised by the IOC. These must be maintained. However, discussions will be opened with the IOC to find solutions to mitigate the effects of COVID-19, the cancellation of Qualification Events and the possibility that competitions might not restart or be held in full before the end of the Qualification