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THE OLYMPIC CHANNEL LAUNCHED

WHERE THE GAMES NEVER END The 17 days of the Olympic Games bring the world together. Now the spirit of the Games will continue at the Olympic Channel, the new home for all things Olympic. Join for behind the scenes access, original programming, documentaries and live sporting events from around the world.

Iranian CAS application dismissed

Behdad Salimikordasiabi (IRI) and the National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran filled an application to the Court of Arbitration for Sport following the Rio 2016 Men’s +105kg group A competition. The appeal was dismissed on 21st August

Weightlifting stamp in Malta

On the occasion of the Rio Olympic Games this year, the Malta Post issued a weightlifting stamp to commemorate the event. This was the first time ever that Malta Weightlifting sent an athlete to participate at an Olympic Games. Malta participated with seven athletes in four different disciplines, these being: Swimming, Athletics, Shooting and

Goodbye Rio Hello Tokyo

Rio bids the world a fond farewell In a style befitting the carnival traditions of the host city, the Rio 2016 closing ceremony opened in a blaze of colour and a musical backdrop of samba sounds, as dancers twisted and turned to form the outlines of a series of iconic Rio monuments and landmarks, culminating in a multi-coloured depiction of the Olympic Rings. That gave way to the traditional parade of the athletes, led by Greece and host nation Brazil, who with seven golds had enjoyed their most successful Games ever, and culminating with Japan, whose capital city Tokyo will play host to the next edition of the Games in 2020. President Bach then took the stage flanked by the Mayor of Rio Eduardo Paes and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, as the focus shifted from the current host city to its successor in 2020. As a choir of Rio children sang the Olympic anthem, the Olympic flag was then passed symbolically from Mr Paes, via the IOC President, to Ms Koike also President of the Japan Weightlifting Federation. The stadium was filled by a series of animated depictions of the 33 three sports that will feature at the Tokyo 2020 Games, the motto of which is “Discover Tomorrow”. These include no less than five new sports: baseball/softball, karate, sport climbing, skateboarding and surfing. OC President Thomas Bach was then joined in the centre of the stadium by Rio 2016 Organising Committee President Carlos Nuzman, who described the latest edition of the Games as a victory for sport, which would stay with the host city for ever. “I’m proud of my country, my city and my people,” he said, adding that the Games had renewed pride in the country, singling out the volunteers and athletes for special praise. In his closing address, IOC President Thomas Bach was fulsome in his praise for the host city: “We arrived in Brazil as guests. Today we depart as your friends. You will have a place in our hearts forever,” said President Bach before switching to Portuguese: “Estes foram Jogos Olímpicos maravilhosos, na cidade maravilhosa! (These were marvellous Olympic Games in THE marvellous city!) The IOC President went on to describe the Rio Games as a celebration of diversity, which would leave a lasting positive impact on the host city. “These Olympic Games are leaving a unique legacy for generations to come. History will talk about a Rio de Janeiro before and a much better Rio de Janeiro after the Olympic Games.” President Bach declared the Games of the XXXI Olympiad closed, and in accordance with tradition, he called on the youth of the world to assemble in Tokyo in four years’ time. And with that it was ‘Bye bye Rio”. Source: IOC

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The International Weightlifting Federation’s website was down for a couple of days after being hacked by Iranian fans. Due to the persisting attacks, we are unable to guarantee the origin and authenticity of some of the content being posted. We kindly ask your patience until a solution is

Talakhadze takes gold and world record

By Brian Oliver at Riocentro, Rio de Janeiro What a remarkable end to 10 days of great weightlifting at the Rio Olympics. Riocentro showcased the outstanding performance by 22-year-old winner Lasha Talakhadze of Georgia. Talakhadze broke Salimi’s snatch world record in the first section of the competition when he lifted 215kg. Salimi took it straight back with 216kg and was favourite going into the clean and jerk. Talakhadze broke a 16-year-old world record held by Hossein Rezazadeh. He returned to the stage an hour after the +105kg competition to have photos taken with his coaches and to kiss the platform where he had performed so well. Salimi’s first clean and jerk attempt was no lift, the second was overruled by all five members of the jury judging it no lift and he never came close with his third. Gor Minasyan of Armenia finished 22kg behind Talakhadze’s 273kg in second place, with Georgia’s Irakli Turmanidze third on 248kg. With no medals going into the event, Georgia finished with a gold and a bronze. Talakhadze made six good lifts, just as he had done in winning the European title in April. Talakhadze’s final lift of 258kg, 11kg more than his second, gave him the world record. It had been set at Sydney 2000 by Rezazadeh, the greatest hero of Iranian weightlifting. “That was enough kilos for me for now,” said Talakhadze. “It’s easier to lift a big weight than to carry the meaning of the gold medal.” Eager for more gold, Talakhadze has set his sights on the European U23 Championships in Israel in December as his next target. “I don’t have that title,” he said. “I want it.” Minasyan and Turmenidze benefited from failed lifts by Salimi and by the Estonian Mart Seim, who made only two good lifts and finished sixth. The Brazilian Fernando Reis, cheered all night, was fifth. There were 21 medal-winning nations, only two short of the record set in Sydney 16 years ago when women’s contests were held for the first