IWF membership grows to 178
Two new nations were affiliated to the International Federation at its Annual Congress on 29 September 2006: Northern Ireland and Turks and Caicos. The IWF now counts a membership of 178
IWF Executive taking firm stance for a clean sport
On the eve of the 2006 Qualification World Championships in Santo Domingo, the IWF Executive Board reconfirmed its relentless battle against doping in the sport it had started 30 years ago. In a close and detailed study of the doping controls carried out in 2006 since 1st January up to the Championships, the Board stated with regret that the number of positive findings was higher than in previous years. Up until the World Championships the IWF alone had conducted 1233 tests, of which 37 male and 16 female competitors returned a positive sample. This higher figure was partly due to more intensive and more extensive testing, partly due to brand new analysis methods introduced by the Cologne laboratory (where the IWF has most of its testing analysed) in the middle of the year. It had to be noted that four countries had 3 or more positives: Argentina, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia. The IWF has obliged the National Federations concerned to conducting a specific investigation into each and every case, detecting also which individuals ? coaches, doctors ? are also responsible and take the necessary sanctions against them. Besides that, permanent controls would be imposed on the countries concerned ? at their cost ? including the obligation to implement an Educational and Prevention Program.In the same meeting the Executive Board reconfirmed its resolution from before Athens, i.e. that any athlete found positive in the 2004 Olympic Games would be banned from participation in Beijing 2008. Even if they can take part in the Qualification events, their results will not be counted in the qualification of the
World Weightlifting’s new issue is out
The 101st issue, i.e. Number 2006-2 of the IWF magazine World Weightlifting has just appeared, on the eve of the 2006 World Championships. It provides interesting reading material for fans and useful information for journalists, including statistics, previews, mid-year rankings, interviews with potential stars of the
High interest in the 1st Qualification opportunity
Countries show strong interest in attending the 2006 World Championships in Santo Domingo. Four days before the deadline for Final Entries, nominations for over 630 athletes from 71 nations are registered at the IWF. The Championship, to be held between 30 September and 7 October 2006 in the Dominican Republic, is the first opportunity to win qualification places for the 2008 Beijing Olympic
Janusz Przedpelski celebrates his 80th
Former President of the European Federation, Honorary IWF Life Vice President and organiser of innumerable world and European championships, Janusz Przedpelski is a record-holder among National Federation Presidents: he has held this position in the Polish Weightlifting Federation for an unprecedented 47 years. He celebrates his 80th birthday on 9 September 2006.Warmest wishes of good health and continued youthful energy to you,
Samir Hanna passing away
It is with a deep sadness that we announce that Brig. Samir Hanna, General Secretary of the Weightlifting Federation of Africa passed away on 26th July from a heart attack. Twin brother of Gamil Hanna, Samir was born in 1935. A physiotherapist, he headed the Egyptian Armed Forces? physiotherapy departments from 1960 up to his retirement as a Brigadier in 1976.In his rich career in sport, he was President, then chief coach of the Egyptian Weightlifting Federation, a regular lecturer, international referee and jury member in 5 Olympic Games and more than 25 World Championships.Samir Hanna was a member of the IWF Technical Committee from 1984 to 2000.He was founding member and General Secretary of WFA since 1984 until his death and 1st Vice President of the Arabic Federation from 1993 to 2005.A longtime friend, a true weightlifter at heart and a devoted official, Samir Hanna will be missed by all.Condolences offered to Egyptian weightlifting, his family and his
