News

Jackie Chan relayed the Torch for the FISU Universiade

May 4th, the torch relay for the 26th Summer Universiade kicked-off at Peking University, marking the 100-day countdown to the opening of FISU's main event. "I declare the start of the torch relay for the 26th Summer Universiade", Li said after handing the torch to Xing Yan'an, a Peking University postgraduate who was the first relay runner. The southern Chinese city of Shenzhen will host the 26th Summer Universiade from August 12th-23rd; 10 years after Beijing held the 21st event in 2001. The flame, which was kindled on April 25th at Tsinghua University in Beijing, will be carried through Shenzhen University on May 10th before Guangzhou University Town takes the baton on May 15th. The torch will also be passed around the city of Shenzhen on August 10t and 11th before the opening of the Universiade. A total of 100 torchbearers continued the Universiade torch relay through Guangzhou University Town yesterday, the third leg of the Games torch relay. An estimated 13,000 participants from more than 180 countries and regions will take part in the 11-day

Progress made as IOC hosts second meeting between Israel and Palestine Olympic Committees

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today welcomed the progress being made on sport-related issues between the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of Israel and Palestine following the second joint meeting between the two, held at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne. A complete analysis was made on the issue of free movement of Palestinian athletes. Measures for the development of Palestinian and Israeli sport, including cooperation between the two NOCs were outlined. Participation by both NOCs in the Mediterranean Games was also discussed. The IOC and Olympic Solidarity will continue to work closely with the Palestine Olympic Committee so it can benefit from a range of development and assistance programmes. Particular emphasis will be placed on assisting athletes aiming to take part in the London 2012 Olympic Games. During the meeting, the NOCs also agreed to cooperate on coaching and other practical support for athletes. "The IOC has an obligation to support measures to protect athletes and to use sport as a tool for peace and development," said President Rogge. "We are encouraged by the frank and friendly discussions between the two NOCs, and will continue to work with them to ensure that further progress on sport-related issues is

Thank you Lima!

On the 3rd day of the competitions, Haiti made its first step in the history of World Championships. Celestin Madgelin became the first ever athlete from Haiti in Women 58kg category competing on the World Championships. On the last day of the YWC, World Records were broken in both genders, the crowded venue could witness Nadezhda Nogaj, KAZ braking all thee World Records in the Women +69kg category and Aleksey Kosov, RUS braking the snatch World Record in Men 94kg category. The medals were presented by Mr. Arturo Woodman, Sport Minister of Peru accompanied by Zygmunt Wasiela, IWF Vice President and Jan Stefanik, SVK WF General Secretary. According to the IWF traditions, Team Trophies were presented on the Closing Banquet for the best teams where Russia dominated winning in both gender:Women: 1. RUS, 2. CHN, 3. MEX, 4. TUR, 5. COL, 6. PERMen: 1. RUS, 2. COL, 3. CHN, 4. TUR, 5. MEX, 6. ARMThe Eleiko - IWF Best lifter Trophies went to Nadezhda Nogaj, KAZ, winning in the Women +69kg category with World Records, and to Artem Okulov, RUS winning in the Men 85kg category. On behalf of IWF, Zygmunt Wasiela, IWF Vice President presented appreciation to the Chairmen of the Organizing Committee, Mr. Jose Quinones for the excellent organization. Mr. Quinones, President of the Peruvian Weightlifting Federation and also the Peruvian Olympic Committee confirmed that Lima is ready to welcome back the Weightlifting Family for the 2013 Junior World

WADA suspends Tunis laboratory’s accreditation from anti-doping analyses

WADA has suspended the accredited laboratory in Tunis, Tunisia from carrying out anti-doping analyses for six months. The suspension is in effect as of May 6, 2011. During the suspension period, this laboratory will not be permitted to analyze anti-doping samples. The laboratory may appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days of notice. Pursuant to the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL), WADA is responsible for accrediting and re-accrediting anti-doping laboratories, thereby ensuring that they maintain the highest quality standards. This monitoring is conducted in conjunction with ISO assessment by independent national accreditation bodies that are full members of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). Whenever a laboratory does not meet ISL requirements, WADA may suspend the laboratory's accreditation. WADA will re-evaluate the status of the laboratory at the end of the suspension

World Records on the first day of YWC

The first day of the 2nd Youth World Championships in Lima, Peru has already produced new Youth World Records. Jiang Hao from China overwrote the whole youth 50kg record table, lifting 100kg in the Snatch, 121kg in the Clean & Jerk, improving the Total to 221kg with an impressive 8kg increase. On the second day the IWF Family could listen the Iraqi anthem that was not played for a long time on World Championships, as Karrar Mohhamed Kadhum in a heated battle surpassed Russian, Armenian and Chinese competitors in the 62kg category. The competitions attracted many dignitaries, including Mr. Ivan Dibos, IOC Member, who also attended the Reception given by Mr. Jose Quinones, President of the Peruvian Weightlifting Federation and National Olympic

Sport for Peace and Development Forum wraps up in Geneva

The second edition of the International Forum on Sport, Peace and Development came to a close on 11th May at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Geneva with the adoption of a list of recommendations aimed at leveraging sport as a tool for positive change. Jointly organised by the IOC and the UN Office on Sport for Peace and Development, the two-day Forum featured sessions on how to position sport as a catalyst for achieving the UN's Millennium Development Goals, how major sport events such as the Olympic Games can deliver on legacy, and how to foster a culture of peace through sport. The recommendations include a call on the UN to include access to sport and physical education as an indicator in its human development indexes; a call for common evaluation tools to monitor the impact of sport on social and economic development; and a call on UN Member States to cooperate with, and abide by, the Olympic Truce. The Forum was co-presided by IOC President Dr Jacques Rogge and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon who also addressed the Forum, which was attended by more than 350 experts from over 100 countries. Dr Tamás Aján, IWF President and IOC Honorary Member was among the participants, after concluding a meeting of the IOC International Relations Commission in Lausanne. To learn more about the Forum:  IOC-UN Forum