News

Jang Mi-ran Sports Center

Seen here is a sports center in Goyang, built by the city government to honor Beijing Games weightlifting gold medalist Jang Mi-ran of South Korea. The structure was made public on Nov. 18 ahead of the world weightlifting championships in the city. (Photo courtesy of Goyang city

Queen’s Baton Relay Passes Through England

The Queen's Baton Relay which is an important part of the International preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi passed through England on its tour of the Commonwealth countries today and was handled by Weightlifters from the England Commonwealth Games Squad and the new BWLA President (and former 3 times Commonwealth Games Gold Medal winner Louis Martin M.B.E). The Baton arrived at the Queen Alexandria Stadium , Birmingham as part of its national tour before passing into the other Home Countries. It was displayed in various Birmingham schools and colleges before being brought to a packed Alexandria Stadium just after lunch time where it was met by a deputation from British Weightlifting's Team England along with Louis Martin M.B.E -their new President. Due to the unavailablility of our British Weightlifters' Association Chief Executive Steve Cannon , Dr. Chris Freebury the Chairman of England's Weightlifting Committee was there to meet it alongside Louis Martin M. B.E and two young Commonwealth Games hopefuls from the Midlands area- Hannah Powell (17) from Birmingham and Chris Freebury jnr.(20 ) from Derby. Hannah and Chris both gave a display of Weightlifting for the assembled crowd with a commentary from Sam Hayer who was England's Commonwealth Games Youth Coach in Puna, India. This was extremely well received and the young athletes were then asked to pass the Baton to members of British Gymnastics who also gave a short demonstration . Louis Martin M.B.E added a few words of his own and wished the athletes the very best of luck in their efforts and assured them that the Commonwealth Games was a very friendly affair . England are now in an advanced stage of preparations for the event having chosen a number of athletes to be included in a regular and structured series of training events at different venues throughout the country up to the competition itself. The final selection of athletes will take place on 26th June 2010 following the British Championships which will be held in Kilmarnock, Scotland. Dr. C.G. Freebury -Chairman England Weightlifting

Queen’s Baton Relay Passes Through England

The Queen's Baton Relay which is an important part of the International preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi passed through England on its tour of the Commonwealth countries today and was handled by Weightlifters from the England Commonwealth Games Squad and the new BWLA President (and former 3 times Commonwealth Games Gold Medal winner Louis Martin M.B.E). The Baton arrived at the Queen Alexandria Stadium , Birmingham as part of its national tour before passing into the other Home Countries. It was displayed in various Birmingham schools and colleges before being brought to a packed Alexandria Stadium just after lunch time where it was met by a deputation from British Weightlifting's Team England along with Louis Martin M.B.E -their new President. Due to the unavailablility of our British Weightlifters' Association Chief Executive Steve Cannon , Dr. Chris Freebury the Chairman of England's Weightlifting Committee was there to meet it alongside Louis Martin M. B.E and two young Commonwealth Games hopefuls from the Midlands area- Hannah Powell (17) from Birmingham and Chris Freebury jnr.(20 ) from Derby. Hannah and Chris both gave a display of Weightlifting for the assembled crowd with a commentary from Sam Hayer who was England's Commonwealth Games Youth Coach in Puna, India. This was extremely well received and the young athletes were then asked to pass the Baton to members of British Gymnastics who also gave a short demonstration . Louis Martin M.B.E added a few words of his own and wished the athletes the very best of luck in their efforts and assured them that the Commonwealth Games was a very friendly affair . England are now in an advanced stage of preparations for the event having chosen a number of athletes to be included in a regular and structured series of training events at different venues throughout the country up to the competition itself. The final selection of athletes will take place on 26th June 2010 following the British Championships which will be held in Kilmarnock, Scotland. Dr. C.G. Freebury -Chairman England Weightlifting

Indian Weightlifting Federation has decided to take the moral responsibility

India's national weightlifting federation committee has stepped down after taking responsibility for the rampant doping in the sport in the country, the Indian Olympic Association said Tuesday. The national weightlifting body was facing another suspension after three more weightlifters were caught in World Anti-Doping Agency tests at a training camp recently. "In the meantime, the Indian Weightlifting Federation has decided to take the moral responsibility of the doping violation committed by the weightlifters and decided to step down," the statement said. "The Indian Weightlifting Federation has requested the President, Indian Olympic Association, to take appropriate action and fresh elections will be held soon," the statement added. India has repeatedly faced embarrassment due to doping among weightlifters and the national body was banned in 2004 and 2006, because three or more lifters tested positive in a calendar year. Last year, Egyptian Magad Salama resigned as national coach citing doping among senior lifters. (by Sanjay Rajan)

Save the Date: WADA Media Symposium with President and Director General on January 19, 2010, in Lausanne

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will hold its fifth symposium for journalists on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. This symposium will be an opportunity for the media to hear from WADA's President John Fahey and Director General David Howman in the lead-up to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Both will provide updates about the Agency's global work and mission, as well as the advances and the challenges of the fight against doping in sport. In addition, WADA's Education Director Rob Koehler will present WADA's latest education programs as part of the Agency's ever growing emphasis on prevention and youth programs. Details [email protected]

New Malta Weightlifting Association team for 2009-2010

A few weeks ago, the members of The Malta Weightlifting Association elected a new committee and a new president, Jesmond Caruana. The new team has already started showing their mettle and have prepared a calendar full of events. The first international competition will be held in Wales with the participation of five junior athletes Clint Sammut, Christian Saliba, Clyde Sammut, Ryan Agius and Mark Sapiano. Accompanying them will be their coaches David Saliba and Glenn Lucas. Next Sunday, there will be a test competition in preparation for the athletes who will be taking part in the London Championships on 5 December. These include Rodmar Pulis, 15, who is the youngest of them all, and Clive Zammit, 20, who is achieving good results and holds no fewer than nine national youth records and six records in juniors. Another athlete is Clint Grech, 22. He is one of the most experienced local athletes, trying to get the best results after an injury caused by a traffic accident. Stephen Borg, 33, is the most veteran athlete, together with Emmanuel Schembri, 23, the strongest man in the field. They are trying to get the best results to start the qualifying process for the Commonwealth Games 2010. Accompanying the athletes will be two coaches, Mark Pirotta and Jesmond Caruana. On 20 December, the national championships are to be held at the Cottonera Sports Complex. On 29 December, the Presentation of Awards ceremony is to be held during a dinner organised by the association. For 2010 the first competitions are scheduled for 31 January and 28 February One of the most awaited local competitions - the Malta Open - will be held on 28 March. There will be a continuation of local competitions each month in preparation for the international competitions. The first one is the European Small Nations tournament which is going to take place between May and June in Limassol, Cyprus, though this still has to be confirmed. The association will also be organising the important Mediterranean Cup event for which contact work has already started with the various international federations. A training camp is also scheduled for the first half of the year for athletes and coaches with the help of the Malta Olympic Committee. One of the main projects for next year is to modernise the competition equipment and modernise the centres to reach high quality standards. The association also intends to spread the sport on this island by opening new centres. The association is also preparing to stage presentations and demonstrations of the sport in various government schools.