THE TWO LIFTS
In competitive Olympic Weightlifting, there are two lifts contested – the Snatch, and the Clean & Jerk. Each athlete has three attempts at each lift, and the sum of their best Snatch and best Clean & Jerk is their Total. The goal is to execute a proper lift with as heavy a weight as possible. If there is a tie, the lifter with the lightest bodyweight is given a higher ranking. In both the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk, once the weight is lifted the athlete must wait until the referee gives the down signal to lower the weight. The lifter must demonstrate control and stability of the bar; otherwise, the referees will declare a “no lift” ruling and the lift will be deemed as a failed attempt.
THE SNATCH
The barbell is placed horizontally in front of the lifter’s legs. It is gripped, palms downwards and pulled in a single movement from the platform to the full extent of both arms above the head, while either splitting or bending the legs. During this continuous movement, the barbell may slide along the thighs and the lap. No part of the body other than the feet may touch the platform during the execution of the lift. The weight, which has been lifted, must be maintained in the final motionless position, arms and legs extended, the feet on the same line, until the Referees give the signal to replace the barbell on the platform. The lifter may recover in his or her own time, either from a split or a squat position, and finish with the feet on the same line, parallel to the plane of the trunk and the barbell. The Referees give the signal to lower the barbell as soon as the lifter becomes motionless in all parts of the body.
THE CLEAN AND JERK
THE CLEAN - The barbell is placed horizontally in front of the lifter’s legs. It is gripped, palms downwards and pulled in a single movement from the platform to the shoulders, while either splitting or bending the legs. During this continuous movement, the barbell may slide along the thighs and the lap. The barbell must not touch the chest before the final position. It then rests on the clavicles or on the chest above the nipples or on the arms fully bent. The feet return to the same line, legs straight before performing the Jerk. The lifter may make this recovery in his or her own time and finish with the feet on the same line, parallel to the plane of the trunk and the barbell.
THE JERK - The athlete bends the legs and extends them as well as the arms to bring the barbell to the full stretch of the arms vertically extended. He or she returns the feet to the same line; arms and legs fully extended, and waits for the Referees’ signal to replace the barbell on the platform. The Referees give the signal to lower the barbell as soon as the lifter becomes motionless in all parts of the body.
THE COMPETITORS
In the sport of weightlifting, competitions are organised for men and women. The athletes compete in the categories specified in the rules, according to their bodyweight.
Age Groups
In its activities, the IWF recognises three age groups:
YOUTH: up to and including seventeen (17) years of age.
JUNIOR: up to and including twenty (20) years of age.
SENIOR
All age groups are calculated in the athlete’s year of birth.
The minimum age for participation in the Senior World, Junior World and World University Championships and other open international events for men and women is fifteen (15).
The minimum age for participation in the Olympic Games, for men and women is sixteen (16).
Participation age for Youth Olympic Games is sixteen (16) and seventeen (17).
The minimum age for participation in the Youth events is thirteen (13).
Body Weight Categories
There are eight (8) categories for men and junior men. All competitions under IWF rules must be held in the following categories and sequence:
Men - 55, 61, 67, 73, 81, 89, 96, 102, 109, 109+kg
Women - 45, 49, 55, 59, 64, 71, 76, 81, 87, 87+kg
Youth Men - 49, 55, 61, 67, 73, 81, 89, 96, 102, 102+kg
Youth Women - 40, 45, 49, 55, 59, 64, 71, 76, 81, 81+kg
At IWF Events and other competitions each country may enter a team of maximum ten (10) men and nine (9) women athletes but may participate with a team of maximum eight (8) men and seven (7) women athletes only, spread over the different categories with a maximum of two (2) athletes per category. For the Olympic Games Rule 5.3 applies.
During any competition, an athlete may not compete in more than one category.
WEIGHTLIFTING EQUIPMENT
Stage and Platform
All lifts must be executed on the competition platform.
The platform must be square, level and measuring four (4) metres on each side. When the floor surrounding the platform has similar or same colouring, the top edge of the platform must have a different coloured line of at least 150 mm.
The platform may be made of wood, plastic or any solid material and may be covered with a non-slippery material.
The platform shall not be higher than 150 mm.
A clear area measuring one (1) metre surrounding the platform is compulsory. This area must be flat and free from any obstacle including discs.
The dimensions of the stage must be minimum ten (10) x ten (10) m, the height of the top of the platform must be maximum one (1) m, measured from the level where the Referees’ and Jury seats are placed. Standard size steps must be attached to the stage.
When the platform is placed on a stage, restraining bars at least the width of the platform must be suitably and safely fixed to the stage, at minimum two and half (2.5) metres from the front edge of the platform, and two (2) metres from the rear edge, but as close as possible to the front and rear edges of the stage. The restraining bars must be maximum two-hundred (200) mm high and maximum twohundred (200) mm wide.
Chalk and resin must be provided on the stage, near the platform on the athlete entry side; bar cleaning disinfectant and tools must be provided next to the stage for the loaders. A strecher must be provided near the stage for the transport of an injured athlete.
Barbell
Only barbells meeting IWF specifications and approval may be used in weightlifting competitions under its jurisdiction.
The barbell consists of the following parts:
The bar;
The men’s bar weighs 20 kg and the women’s bar weighs 15 kg and must meet special specifications. Markings on the bars:
Weightlifting bars must have coloured identification markings to facilitate their recognition. The men’s bar must mhave blue markings and the women’s bar yellow markings. These colours correspond to those of the 20 kg and 15 kg discs.
The Discs;
The discs must be of the following weights and colours:
25 kg red
20 kg blue
15 kg yellow
10 kg green
5 kg white
2.5 kg red
2 kg blue
1.5 kg yellow
1 kg green
0.5 kg white
The diameter of the largest discs: 450 mm with a tolerance of ± 1 mm.
The 450 mm discs must be covered with rubber or plastic and coated on both sides with permanent colours or painted at least on the surface of the rim.
The discs lighter than ten (10) kg may be made of metal or other material as approved.
All the discs must have a clear indication of their weight.
The Collars;
In order to secure the discs to the bar, each bar must be equipped with two collars weighing 2.5 kg each for men and women.