Mixed competitions are playing an increasingly important role within the Olympic Movement. The program for the 2030 Winter Olympic Games, approved in July, is proof of this: the IOC has included the single mixed relay in biathlon, mixed team ski cross, and mixed team parallel snowboard. In this context, the International Weightlifting Federation has just laid the groundwork for a new competition format: the 2x2 mixed team event.
A fast-paced and "very interesting from a strategic point of view" competition
Symbolically, the Olympic capital, Lausanne, hosted the first competition dedicated to this cause. Eight teams, each composed of one man and one woman, participated: two Swiss, two German, two French, one Romanian, and one refugee team. At the end of the eight matches, the refugee team emerged victorious. Each match consisted of three snatch attempts and three clean and jerk attempts for each team. Each performance was converted into points based on the athlete's weight and the weight lifted.
IWF President Mohammed Jalood was present for this historic moment, as were Secretary General José Quiñones, several members of the IWF Executive Committee, and IOC Sports Director Pierre Ducrey. Mohammed Jalood reiterated his federation's commitment to to innovate and explore new ways of presenting weightlifting to athletes, fans and the wider sporting community This test was deemed promising.
« The reactions from athletes and coaches were overwhelmingly enthusiastic. The new format was described as exciting, innovative, and strategically very interesting, while the fast-paced matches created a rapid rhythm and dynamic that propelled the competition from one thrilling moment to the next. And, unlike an individual competition, the athletes weren't just competing for themselves. Their performances directly impacted the fate of their teammates—and their entire team. ", the IWF points out on its website.
The presence of Pierre Ducrey sent a signal. Especially since the IOC representative was receptive to this initiative. He emphasized that the IWF would " in the right direction by proposing a mixed event The initiative could inspire other international federations since the president of the ITTF, Petra Sörling, was also in Lausanne to attend this first.
