International Weightlifting Federation

Weightlifting

The International Weightlifting Federation is the international governing body for the sport of Olympic weightlifting.

Sport

Olympic weightlifting

Founded

1905 (119 years ago)

Headquarters

Lausanne, Switzerland

Affiliations

International Olympic Committee

Summary

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) is the global governing body for the sport of weightlifting. Established in 1905, it is one of the oldest international sports federations, recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the sole authority over the sport worldwide. The IWF oversees the organisation and regulation of weightlifting competitions and has its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. It governs 193 affiliated national federations, representing all five continents. Mohammed Hasan Jalood of Iraq has been serving as the IWF President since June 2022.

The IWF organises key international competitions, including the World Weightlifting Championships, Junior World Weightlifting Championships, Youth World Weightlifting Championships, and other prestigious events such as the IWF World Cup and IWF Grand Prix. It also cooperates with the IOC to manage weightlifting events at the Olympic Games. However, weightlifting’s future in the Olympics, particularly its inclusion in the 2028 games, has been uncertain due to long-standing issues of doping and governance within the sport.

The IWF’s mission is to promote, lead, and govern weightlifting worldwide. It seeks to uphold the Olympic values of fair play, ensure gender equality, and provide equal opportunities across all continents. It also works to educate athletes and officials, ensuring the sport is practised safely and fairly. The IWF is affiliated with several continental federations, including the African, Asian, European, Oceania, and Pan American Weightlifting Federations.

Disciplines

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) governs two main disciplines in the sport of weightlifting. These disciplines are the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk. Both are performed using a barbell with weights and involve lifting the barbell from the ground to above the lifter’s head, but they differ in technique and stages of the lift.

Snatch:
- In the Snatch, the lifter must lift the barbell from the floor to overhead in one continuous motion. The movement requires the lifter to quickly pull the barbell above their head in a single action, then hold it overhead with their arms fully extended. This discipline tests the lifter’s speed, balance, and flexibility, in addition to strength.
Clean and Jerk:
- The Clean and Jerk is performed in two distinct phases. First, in the Clean phase, the lifter pulls the barbell from the floor to their shoulders, catching it in a front squat position with the bar resting on their shoulders. In the Jerk phase, the lifter pushes the barbell from their shoulders to overhead, locking their arms fully while standing upright. This lift tests both power and technique, as it combines the ability to lift heavy weights with a split-second transition.

Both the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk are used in competitions, and lifters are given three attempts for each discipline. The best successful lifts in both disciplines are combined to give a total score. The athlete with the highest total is declared the winner. These two disciplines are performed in all major competitions organised by the IWF, including the World Weightlifting Championships and the Olympic Games.

Weightlifting competitions are divided by bodyweight categories for both men and women. Each lifter competes in their respective weight class, with the objective of lifting the heaviest possible weights in both the Snatch and Clean and Jerk disciplines.

Membership

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has a structured membership system that includes national federations from around the world. These national bodies represent their respective countries in the sport of weightlifting under the rules and regulations of the IWF.

Key points regarding IWF membership:

Affiliated National Federations:
The IWF is composed of 193 affiliated national federations. These federations are responsible for the development and governance of weightlifting within their own countries. They work under the IWF’s guidelines to promote and regulate the sport.
Continental Federations:
The IWF also has five main continental federations, representing Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and Pan America. These continental bodies oversee regional events and coordinate with national federations to ensure the sport’s growth across different continents.
Member Benefits:
National federations that are part of the IWF have the right to participate in all IWF-sanctioned events, including world championships and Olympic qualification events. They also receive guidance, resources, and educational support from the IWF to enhance the development of athletes, coaches, and officials.
Membership Rights:
Member federations have voting rights in the IWF Congress, which is the highest decision-making body of the organisation. This allows them to influence key decisions related to the sport’s governance, rules, and global development.
Obligations:
All member federations are required to follow the IWF's rules and regulations, including anti-doping policies. They are expected to maintain fair play, uphold the integrity of the sport, and promote safe and healthy practices among athletes and officials.
Suspension and Expulsion:
Member federations can face suspension or expulsion if they fail to comply with the IWF’s rules. For example, involvement in doping scandals or governance issues can result in sanctions from the IWF, which may affect their ability to participate in international events.