In the spring, the International Weightlifting Federation was grimacing. It had just learned that its athlete quota (60 men, 60 women) would not increase at Los Angeles 2028 and that it would have to settle for ten weight classes, whereas it had hoped for four more (two men, two women). However, its arguments were finally heard, as the IOC Executive Board approved the addition of two new weight classes. A small step for the Games, and a big one for weightlifting.
Five days of events and ten athletes per category
In Paris, the men had to compete in the -61 kg, -73 kg, -89 kg, -102 kg or +102 kg categories. The women had to compete in the -49 kg, -59 kg, -71 kg, -81 kg or +81 kg categories. The IOC decided to be a little more flexible by allowing the creation of an additional category for each gender. This adjustment aims to limit incentives for excessive weight loss. It thus helps to preserve athletes' health, while ensuring better consistency with the new weight categories adopted for high-level competitions, both junior and senior ", he stressed in September. It is now up to the IWF to define, by the end of the year, the six male and female categories valid for the next Olympic Games.
The president of the body, Mohammed Jalood, sees this as a demonstration of confidence in his sport. We are extremely pleased with this progress., he greeted when this decision was announced. We will undoubtedly offer a more exciting program in Los Angeles, and the athletic community welcomes this news with immense satisfaction. I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the IOC Executive Committee, the IOC Olympic Programme Commission, the IOC Sports Department, and, of course, the organizers of the Los Angeles Games. » With twelve categories and a quota of 120 athletes unchanged, ten weightlifters will compete in each category. The weightlifting calendar will remain unchanged: the events will remain spread over five days, from July 25 to 29, 2028.
“Keep fighting”
Mohammed Jalood had spoken at length to Francs Jeux in April. The IWF president then presented his arguments. As IWF events are held in a wider range of weight classes, the Games present a real challenge for our weightlifters, as they are forced to lose or gain weight to compete in these categories. This has obvious consequences for their health and training. "The difference between the Olympic competition program and that of the IWF will thus be reduced, as requested by the IWF Athletes' Commission. Weightlifters will thus be able to prepare in better conditions.
« We must continue to fight, Jalood said in April. While we understand the quota limitations for athletes and events at the Games, we are confident that the situation can improve in the future. Structural changes within our International Federation, combined with the growing prestige and exposure of our events, should convince the IOC of the need for greater representation of our sport – one of the nine founding sports of the modern Games in 1896. » The fight isn't over, but these efforts are starting to pay off. Indeed, an IWF delegation, led by Executive Director Achilleas Tsogas, recently traveled to Los Angeles to meet with the organizing committee. The IWF representatives were able to tour the Peacock Theater, the 2028 weightlifting venue, as well as various hotels.
