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IWF Executive Board Announces Key Developments in Olympic Qualifying, Governance Reform and Anti-Doping

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Executive Board today announced key outcomes of recent meetings, affecting Olympic Qualifying, governance reform and anti-doping.

On Olympic qualifying, the ongoing issues arising from the pandemic have resulted in the IWF Junior World Weightlifting Championships being moved from Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Tashkent in Uzbekistan. The decision was based on a request received from the Saudi Arabian Weightlifting Federation. The original dates of 23-31 May will be maintained. A proposed revision to the Olympic Qualifying System, including contingencies in case of further impacts from the pandemic, has been submitted to the IOC for approval.

On governance reform, 30 June has been set as the date for the rescheduled IWF Constitutional Congress. It will be held online. With the closing date for Member Federation feedback on the proposed draft constitution now passed.

On anti-doping, upon advice from the IOC a revision to Article 12 of the IWF’s Anti-Doping Rules was approved. Recommendation for changes was made by the independent Anti-Doping Commission and the International Testing Agency and after reversing from 4 to 3 the threshold whereby a Member Federation would become eligible for sanction, possible sanctions for Member Federations breaching this threshold now include fines as high as $500,000, up from $300,000. You can find the updated rules here

“Whilst the conditions for international sporting competition remain difficult and complicated around the world, the IWF is pleased to be able to announce progress on the key issues of Olympic Qualification, Governance Reform and Anti-doping,” said IWF Interim President Dr Michael Irani. “We are determined to push ahead towards our key goal of ensuring clean, fair and exciting competitions at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games while also reforming the IWF in order to ensure it is fit for a brighter future.”