News

China to auction more Olympic items on anniversary

More than 20 memorabilia items from the Beijing Olympics, from an autographed torch to a barbell kissed by a Chinese weightlifting winner, will be up for auction next week to commemorate the first anniversary of the games. Other items to be sold Aug. 8 include inflatable boats that carried judges and the media during sailing events, the China Beijing Equity Exchange said on its Web site.The barbell was the one Zhang Xiangxiang knelt and kissed after winning the gold medal in the men's 62 kg category. Also up for auction are an Olympic torch autographed by former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch and torches from previous games. "These articles, as an important part of the Olympic heritage, attracted wide attention of the media and borne the spirit of Olympic Games with touching stories," said the state company, which was appointed by organizers to dispose of assets. The auction will be held at the company's auction venue in Beijing and 13 other cities, as well as on a Web site. The firm has collected $27 million by auctioning off 700,000 Olympic items in the past year, including an extra-long bed slept in by NBA star Yao

Thai Coaching seminar at Chiang Mai

During July 25-26, 2009 Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association (TAWA) held a Thai Coaching seminar at Chiang Mai, Thailand. There were 40 people from nationwide clubs to participate. Main topics were led and delivered by Major General Intarat Yodbangtoey (IWF Executive Board Member), Mr. Nippon Limboonsuebsai (IWF Coaching & Research Committee Member), Mrs. Boossaba Yodbangtoey (TAWA President) and Mr. Bunpot Sangkeo (TAWA Vice President) as the following. • develop conceptual thoughts by way of increasing quality of young weightlifters and well-prepared training by professional weightlifting coaches • discuss all working procedures, manuals and currently technological tools to leverage Thailand weightlifting as a mass sport align with the world class standardization• update and being shared direction and policy of worldwide coaching profession from Dr. Tamas Ajan, IWF President, whose speech in the first meeting of IWF Coaching & Research Committee Member in Bucharest, Romania on June 12, 2009   Dr. Aján's Adressed Message The Committee's idea to create a Coaching Manual, including a 3-level coaching course is brilliant. Public Club National Camp Please follow up on the Coaching License logistics. A Coaching Database is important. We need experts and lecturersfor our Development Programs, including clinics. The presentation of the Educational Program in Chiang Mai was very successful. Another opportunity to introduce the program will occur at the Senior World Championships. Besides, the coaches were also input nutrition knowledge how to feed our weightlifters in right way, importantly so as to have quality assurance to avoid doping substance come up with technical methodology as well as technological equipments by Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT).

Junior European Championships started in Sweden

The continental challenge for Europe's Junior lifters started with an Opening Ceremony and the first competitions on 28 July 2009.3 years after hosting the European Youth Championships, the small but sports-loving city of Landskrona is the venue of this year's edition of the Junior Championships. Swedish Weightlifting Federation President Benny Johansson and his staff provide a comfortable and friendly atmosphere to the participants. More information and live Results: http://www.polska-sztanga.h2.pl/live/

IWF President attends EWF Congress in Landskrona

The European Weightlifting Federation (EWF) held its Congress in Landskrona, Sweden, on the eve of the Junior European Championships. IWF President and Honorary EWF President Dr. Tamás Aján was also in attendance and greeted the Congress participants and the host Swedish Federation.

Happy Birthday! Gottfried Schödl 85

Gottfried Schödl's 85th birthday Gottfried Schödl was President of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) between 1972 and 2000. He ran the world of weightlifting for a record number of 28 years from the moment when press lift had been cancelled to the end of the 20th century. Gottfried Schödl began his sports career as a skater then turned to Olympic weightlifting. He was an international category I referee since 1964 and served as the President of the Austrian Federation from 1969 to 1990. Besides his success in managing the IWF, Gottfried Schödl is a distinguished journalist, sportswriter and one of the sport's greatest historians and statisticians. His books and publications are all of historical value in the sport of Olympic weightlifting. The Weightlifting Family wishes him good health on his his 85th birthday.

To all lifters, coaches, officials participated at the Beijing Olympic Games

We are very close to the first anniversary of the unforgettable Beijing Olympic Games. We all have memories of the Asian capital, its everyday life, culture, people and habits. Many of us had a chance to look around the city, to visit some places of interest or climb on Great Wall. To remember those nice days now the managers of IWF web site ask you all, lifters, coaches, officials to select among your best and popular Beijing photos and send to us for public use on IWF web site. Let's make an international memory album together! We invite you all who wish to join and send us your favourite photos taken a year ago in Beijing. The focus is on your non-competition photos ( city, Olympic village, silk market, shopping, excursions, among friends, whatever) but of course you are welcome if you wish to publish competiton photo on yourself or on your friend as well. This is the time to collect the best private photos depicting you or your team mates somewhere in Beijing . This is the best way to represent the members of our weightlifting society around the world. Looking for the funniest, the most friendly, the kindest in brief all types of photos you like. Do not be shy! Our interactive site is yours! We all appriciate and thank for your efforts. Let us start today! You can send your photos to DEZSŐ DOBOR, HEAD PRESS OFFICER OF IWF