Beijing Olympics 2008 Weightlifting Events

History of Weight Lifting:

• Weight lifting is one of the most primitive and ancient activities.
• It achieved recognition as an official international sport in the 19th century.
• It has been part of Olympic Games since 1896.
• Weightlifting was not contested at the Olympic Games in 1900, 1908 and 1912.
• Participants compete in the snatch and the clean and jerk events.
• Men compete in eight bodyweight categories while women contest in seven.

Equipment for Weight Lifting:

• Barbell: Steel bar with rubber coated discs.
• Collar: A metal component that secures the weights in place.
• Disc: An individual cylindrical weight on the bar.
• Sleeve: The end parts of the bar where the weights are attached.
• Referee light system: white or red light buttons for the referees.
• Main scoreboard: To display information about the competition and progress.
• Record board: Displays relevant competition records to the public.
• Multi-video screen: For replays in slow motion to ensure better observation and judgment.
• Costume/outfit of competitors: one-piece, close-fitting leotard.
• Weightlifting shoes
• Weightlifting belt: To support the trunk
• Bandages: For wrists and knees

Competition Rules for Weight Lifting:

The Rules and Regulations for the Weightlifting events at the Olympic Games will be laid out by:

1. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Handbook
2. Olympic Charter

• IWF will hold a Technical Congress on August 7, 2008 to finalize entries and allocate athletes and technical officials into groups.
• All athletes must report at the Olympic Village at the latest 8 (eight) days prior to their own competition.
• All athletes will undergo an anti-doping test.

Competition Format for Weight Lifting Event:

The lifts conducted are of three types in Weight Lifting Event:

1. The Snatch
2. The Clean
3. The Jerk

• One or two bodyweight categories will be contested in a single day.
• The weightlifters will be divided in two groups- A and B.
• The group allocation will be done on the basis of the player’s highest entry totals.
• If a bodyweight category is contested in two groups, the results are combined for the final classification.
• A weigh-in for the lifters will be conducted two hours prior to the competition.

Beijing Olympic 2008 Weight Lifting Events

• +105kg Men
• 105kg Men
• 56kg Men
• 62kg Men
• 69kg Men
• 77kg Men
• 85kg Men
• 94kg Men
• +75kg Women
• 48kg Women
• 53kg Women
• 58kg Women
• 63kg Women
• 69kg Women
• 75kg Women

Athlete Quota:

• 170 men
• 90 women
• Total of 260 athletes