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IWF General Secretary visits Budapest office

Mohammed Jalood (IRQ), IWF General Secretary has paid a working visit to the IWF President’s office and IWF Secretariat in Budapest. On this occasion he gave a summary for www.iwf.net

“My function as General Secretary of the IWF brings me regularly to Budapest, because it is very important for us to consult with President Aján and the members of the IWF Secretariat on the topical issues of the sport.”

“Now, the situation as a result of the German television’s report gave an added actuality to my visit. No doubt weightlifting is facing a problem and we agree with the President that the Executive Board must be duly and thoroughly informed to see clearly. That is why we convened an extraordinary meeting for next week.”

“As I have been on the road since the film’s report, I haven’t had the chance to see it but I know that the statements refer to matters that happened in the past. One thing is sure: we need unity and justice in weightlifting.”

“I have been involved in the IWF Executive Board since 2005 and I can say that in the Executive Board we all agree that the first priority is the Olympic Games, the dream of all athletes in the world. Recently I talked to important people in the IOC and explained that in the last year the doping situation has changed fundamentally. We transferred our anti-doping program to ITA (International Testing Agency) and we are now on the right track. At the last world championships – controlled by ITA – zero doping. And we encourage ITA to target all the athletes qualified for the 2020 Olympic Games. Even if it costs much money, it doesn’t matter: Olympic status is top priority for weightlifting.”