News

IWF Honorary Vice President Philippe Saint-Cyr received ‘Caring Canadian Award’

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, presented the ‘Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award’ to Philippe Saint-Cyr for his pioneering role as an internationally renowned weightlifting official, in the development of the sport and for his unpaid work in a variety of federations at the regional, provincial, national and international levels. Created in 1995, the ‘Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award’ recognizes living Canadians and permanent residents who have made a significant, sustained, unpaid contribution to their community, in Canada or abroad. Often working behind the scene, these individuals volunteer their time and efforts to help their fellow citizens. The award also brings to light fine example set by volunteers, whose compassion and engagement are a part of our Canadian character. Congratulations to

Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games: 600 days to go

Friday 30 November marks exactly 600 days until the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. To mark the milestone, which falls appropriately on St Andrew’s Day, pupils from St Andrew’s Primary School in Cumbernauld celebrated the countdown to the Games by donning the Official Glasgow 2014 Tartan for an extra-special plaid-time! In 600 days, in front of a television audience of more than one billion, the Commonwealth Games gets underway in Glasgow. It’s going to be the largest sporting and cultural event Scotland will ever host, featuring up to 15,000 volunteers and with one million tickets available to watch the best athletes in the Commonwealth competing for gold in a host of world class venues. “It is fitting this St Andrew’s Day that we mark 600 days to go until the Opening Ceremony of Glasgow and Scotland’s Commonwealth Games,” said Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 David Grevemberg. "Our venues are coming to life and looking magnificent and, as we move towards the starting line, it's a fantastic vote of confidence to hear world-class athletes of the calibre of Usain Bolt, Jessica Ennis, Oscar Pistorius and so many others starting to express their intention to compete at Glasgow in 2014. “Increasingly, the scene is getting set for a feast of global sport and I know Glasgow and Scotland will create a wonderful stage for stars such as these to shine." Source:

Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games Mascot Unveiled

The Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (NYOGOC) yesterday unveiled its official mascot: “NANJINGLELE”. NANJINGLELE is inspired by a unique natural feature of the host city known as the “Rain-Flower Pebble” (also translated as “Riverstone”). The design of the mascot takes the typical shape and appearance of this stone but in a creative and artistic way, highlighting the colours from the emblem’s palette. The word ‘Lele’ represents the sound of stones colliding together and is pronounced like the Chinese word meaning happiness or joy. NYOGOC unveiled the official mascot at a grand ceremony held at the Nanjing Olympic Centre, one of the main competition venues for the upcoming Games. More than 4,000 people, including students, locals, government officials and sponsor representatives, attended the ceremony. Olympic Chinese champions Sun Yang, Huang Xu and Wu Jingyu unveiled the mascot with official dignitaries and a group of young people who are working with NYOGOC as advisors. In a congratulatory letter read during the ceremony, the International Olympic Committee President, Jacques Rogge, said: “The design of NANJINGLELE is truly inspiring and will certainly capture the attention of the world’s youth and older generations alike. Not only does it incorporate aspects of the host city’s majestic local stone, the Riverstone, but it is bright and vibrant and sets the tone for a fun, colourful and energetic YOG.” Li Xueyong, Governor of Jiangsu Province and President of NYOGOC, said: “Mascot NANJINGLELE represents the profound cultural deposit of Nanjing, the collective wisdom of its people and the good wish of a harmonious relationship between human beings and the nature.” NANJINGLELE was chosen following a nationwide mascot design competition launched by NYOGOC earlier this year. More than 1.2 million students from more than 900 colleges across China participated in the competition. During the event, Cao Weixing, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province and Vice President of NYOGOC, presented an award to the winning designer Mr Cui Xinye, 25, a college student. Yang Weize, General Secretary of CPC Municipal Committee and Executive President of NYOGOC, gave a speech during the ceremony, saying: “As a messenger of the Nanjing 2014 concept and the Youth Olympic spirit, NANJINGLELE will win numerous friends all over the world with its cute and vivid look. It simultaneously sends an invitation to all the young people around the world to take part in Nanjing 2014 and to join in the YOG experience wherever they are.” Matthew Forbes, Vice Consul-General of Britain, which hosted the London 2012 Olympic Games, and Chi Chiew Sum, Vice Consul-General of Singapore, which hosted the 1st Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2010, also expressed their best wishes to Nanjing 2014 and presented their mascots as a gift to Nanjing. Notes to Editors: The 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games (www.nanjing2014.org) will take place in Nanjing in August 2014 and will bring together more than 3,800 young athletes from more than 200 countries and regions. Following the 28 sports on the Olympic programme, athletes will take part in high level competition and off the field of play will be able to take part in a series of cultural and educational

Overview of the Youth & Junior African Championships

The Youth & Junior African Championships were held from 18-25 November in the city of Tunis, Tunisia. Prior to the event, the African Weightlifting Federation held its Congress with the participation of 12 countries: ALG, CMR, EGY, KENY, LBA, MAR, NGR, RSA, SEN, SEY, TUN, UGA. The following major issues were discussed: Olympic performances of the African athletes at London 2012, the future application procedures of the WFA and the development of Weightlifting in Africa. Under the guidance of Mohamed Ben Amor, Competition Director, the Youth & Junior African Championships were held with the participation of 90 athletes from 7 countries: TUN, EGY, KEN, LBA, MAR, RSA, UGA. Thanks to the great organization and the involvement of Khaled Mhalhel, WFA President and Eshelli Manareddin, WFA General Secretary ans the Tunisian Secretariat Members, the competition run smoothly and was a great success for the competing African

Elections of the Italian Weightlifting Federation

On Sunday 18 November in Rome, the Italian Weightlifting Federation held its Elections. The President Dr. Antonio Urso, single candidate, was re-elected for a third consecutive term with 87% of the votes. Francesco Buonincontro was re-elected as General Secretary of FIPE. Approximately 250 delegates participated in the Congress that also gave place to the celebration of the 110 years Anniversary of the Italian Weightlifting Federation. Dr. Urso presented its progress report on the previous 4 years and presented his notions for the upcoming term that will lead the Italian Federation to the Rio 2016 Olympic

Elections of the Hellenic Weightlifting Federation

On 20 October 2012, in the auditorium of the Greek Olympic Committee, the Hellenic Weightlifting Federation held its Annual Meeting that included elections for the new Board of Directors. Pyrros Dimas was reelected President and Nikos Skiadas General Secretary. Following a proposal made by President Pyrros Dimas and Members of the Board, the General Assembly unanimously decided to confer the title of “Honorary President of the Hellenic Weightlifting Federation” to Yannis Sgouros, in recognition of his great contribution to the development of Greek