Weightlifting at the Summer Olympics

Weightlifting at 2008 Summer Games: Weightlifting is a strength sport event. The aim of weightlifting is to lift heavy weights attached to steel bars. The origin of the sport can be traced back to the prehistoric days. Though the sport was not included in the ancient Olympics, it was a popular event. Weightlifting skill combines both power and technique. The sport is often included in the training program of other sports, as it helps developing physical strength. The sport is governed by the International Weightlifting Federation or the IWF at the international level.

Weightlifting in the Summer Games: Men's weightlifting was included in the Olympics schedule at the 1896 Athens Summer Games. The only events contested then were one handed lift and two handed lift. With time the number of events has increased in the men's weightlifting program. Since the 1920 Antwerp Summer Games weightlifting has been contested regularly at the Olympics. Women's competition started at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Weightlifters contest at two variations- "clean and jerk" and "snatch". The events held at the Olympic weightlifting competition are-

Super heavyweight (more than 105 kilogram) for men

Heavyweight (105 kilogram) for men

Middle heavyweight (94 kilogram) for men

Light heavyweight (85 kilogram) for men

Middleweight (77 kilogram) for men

Lightweight (69 kilogram) for men

Featherweight (62 kilogram) for men

Bantamweight (56 kilogram) for men

Super heavyweight (more than 75 kilogram) for women

Heavyweight (75 kilogram) for women

Light heavyweight (69 kilogram) for women

Middleweight (63 kilogram) for women

Lightweight (58 kilogram) for women

Featherweight (53 kilogram) for women

Flyweight (48 kilogram) for women

Rules of Weightlifting: The International Weightlifting Federation or the IWF is authorized to set rules for weightlifting event at the international level. Some of the rules followed during the international weightlifting competitions are-

Two types of lift, the "snatch" and the "clean and jerk" must be included in the weightlifting program at the competitions.

All the competitors have to perform both of the lifting styles, the "snatch" and the "clean and jerk". The lifter with the best snatch and the clean and jerk is declared the winner of the competition.

The weightlifters are given three chances to lift ca certain weight. All the lifts have to be made with two hands.

A weightlifter is not allowed to participate in more than one weight-class.

The weightlifters are not allowed to release the weight, until he or she receives a signal from the referees.

The body movements of the weightlifters, and techniques used by them during the lifts in both the styles are specified by the IWF in its rule-book.

The equipments used during the weightlifting competitions have to be approved by the IWF. The structure of the equipments has to be as per the IWF rule-book.

A number of juries and referees are appointed during the competition to monitor the performance of the lifters.

The costumes of the weightlifter during the competition are specified by the IWF.

Medal winners in Weightlifting: Ivan Ivanov, Halil Mutlu, Mohammad Nassiri, Nikolai Peshalov, Galabin Boevski, Taner Sagir, Hossein Rezazadeh, Zhiyong Shi, Georgi Markov, Dmitriy Berestov, Xugang Zhan, Andrei Ribakov, Akakios Kakhiashvili, Marcin Dolega, Oleg Perepetchonov and Yong Zhang are the famous male weightlifters of the world.

Among the female weightlifters, Nurcan Taylan, Xia Yang, Yanqing Chen, Xiaomin Chen, Chunhong Liu, Natalia Zabolotnala, Gonghong Tang, Anna Batyushko, Meiyuan Ding, Wiratthaworn Aree, Natalia Skakun, Pawina Thongsuk, Gonghong Tang, Lian Yang, Hongxia Qui, Wei Gu, Svetlana Podobedova, Mi-Ran Jang, Li Wang, Oxana Slivenko, Svetlana Shimkova and Zarema Kasaeva are the famous ones.