News

Laying the Foundation of a Regional Weightlifting Centre in Southern France

In front of more than three hundred people and in the presence of local and territorial dignitaries, the official ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Weightlifting, Fitness and Physical Training Centre took place in Villeneuve-Loubet on April 24th. This centre has both a local and regional calling also answering the needs of Francophone international athletes. This new 980 square meters sport facility will consist of a weightlifting hall, a fitness room, four changing-rooms, two saunas, a medical room, a reception desk and an office. The facility belongs to the "Etoile Sportive de Villeneuve -Loubet" Club (located 5 kilometres from the Nice-Côte d'Azur airport), whose President is Sylvie MARCHAND. This club has among its members high level athletes such as Beijing Olympic Games Silver medallist Vencelas DABAYA, Norwegian Ruth KASIRYE and Spaniard José NAVARRO. The Centre, to be completed before the end of 2010 will serve as a new tool that will host national and international clinics, training camps and various courses in favour of the development of weightlifting. Jean-Paul BULGARIDHES, President of the French Weightlifting Federation, will be the General Manager of the

The Weightlifting Family and IWF mourn Jenő Boskovics

It is with the deepest sorrow that the IWF has to inform the Weightlifting Family that our dear colleague and friend JENŐ BOSKOVICS, aged 81, deceased in Budapest on 23 April 2010. Jenő Boskovics was the Press Chief and Spokesman of the IWF for decades, Assistant General Secretary of the AIPS, Member of the AIPS Weightlifting Commission and, until his death, Editor-in-Chief of World Weightlifting since its creation in 1980. His statistical-journalistic and history-research activity in weightlifting was known and appreciated worldwide. His departure is a great loss to the Weightlifting Family and his memory will be remembered forever. The IWF will forward condolences addressed to [email protected] to the Boskovics

The Weightlifting Family and IWF mourn Jenő Boskovics

It is with the deepest sorrow that the IWF has to inform the Weightlifting Family that our dear colleague and friend JENŐ BOSKOVICS, aged 81, deceased in Budapest on 23 April 2010. Jenő Boskovics was the Press Chief and Spokesman of the IWF for decades, Assistant General Secretary of the AIPS, Member of the AIPS Weightlifting Commission and, until his death, Editor-in-Chief of World Weightlifting since its creation in 1980. His statistical-journalistic and history-research activity in weightlifting was known and appreciated worldwide. His departure is a great loss to the Weightlifting Family and his memory will be remembered forever. The IWF will forward condolences addressed to [email protected] to the Boskovics

Death of former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the IWF, together with the World Weightlifting Family was deeply saddened to learn today of the death of Juan Antonio Samaranch, aged 89.  President of the IOC during 21 years and Honorary President since 2001, he was been widely credited with renewing and fundamentally changing the landscape of the Olympic Movement. The Weightlifting Family pays tribute to all his remarkable achievements and never fading merits in the development of the Olympic Movement and Sport in the World, and expresses its condolences to the family of Juan Antonio Samaranch and to the International Olympic Committee.

Oceania Federation to celebrate 30 Years history

2010 marks the 30th anniversary of the Oceania Weightlifting Federation (OWF). The Federation was established in Melbourne in 1980 and  became the fifth continent of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). And what better way to celebrate this 30th Anniversary,  than with the biggest Oceania championships ever held in our 30 year history, in Suva-Fiji, on May 3-7? Fiji, the host nation of this year's Oceania Senior, Junior and Youth Championships has been able to attract 18 countries of the Oceania continent.  And more importantly it has attracted the highest number of competitors ever. 165 lifters (male & female) have officially entered, with almost 100 officials attending as well.This event also carries a special significance this year as it will serve as the IWF Olympic Youth qualification event  for the first ever Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore in the month of August.The countries who place in the top four in the Youth Championships for boys will qualify one lifter each to compete at the Olympic Youth Games. Whilst in the girls section, the countries which place in the top three positions will qualify one lifter each. This year is also the year for the Commonwealth Games. Therefore all of the top lifters from the region will use this event as a test event in the lead up to the Games in New Delhi in the month of October. The Organising Committee in Fiji is well prepared under the Chairmanship of Dr. Robin Mitchell, to stage what will be the biggest event in the 30 years of existence of the OWF. The International Weightlifting Federation will be sending two officials and the IWF TIS from Budapest, Hungary, to assist with the running of this major event. Countries which will take part are:  Australia,  New Caledonia, Tahiti, New Zealand, Niue, Tonga, Cook Islands, Wallis & Futuna, American Samoa, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau,  FSM, and of course Fiji.

Weightlifting Fiji reorganised

The Fiji Weightlifting Federation under the leadership of Mr Atma Maharaj decided that the Federation was to be known as Weightlifting Fiji. These are 2010 Office Bearers of Weightlifting Fiji:Patron : Major General Sitveni Rabuka, President: Mr. Atma MaharajGeneral Secretary: Mr. Chris YeeTreasurer: Mr Ravendran Archary Address:WEIGHTLIFTING FIJIGPO Box 325Suva -Fiji IslandsPhone: +679 336 1444Mobile +679 9249933Email: [email protected]  Please note that Weightlifting Fiji has now produced an excellent website and you are welcome to visit it at