Weightlifting confirmed in Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games program – International Weightlifting Federation

Weightlifting was confirmed on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games program today following a vote at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting in Mumbai, India.

This comes after the IOC Executive Board and the Olympic Program Commission recommended the sport for inclusion as part of their discussions last week.

Today’s news protects the dreams and ambitions of millions of athletes around the world and provides much-needed reassurance for everyone involved in sport.

It reflects the major progress made on governance and anti-doping reform under the leadership of the renewed IMF Board elected in June last year.

The IOC meeting in Mumbai (IND)

Since his appointment IMF President Mohammed Jalood has prioritized dialogue and action to pave the way for weightlifting to a new and stronger future, in line with the criteria set for the sport to remain in the Olympic program.

In response to the vote, President Jalood said: “My first thoughts today are with our global weightlifting community – and especially the athletes – for whom this news will be both a great relief and a cause for celebration.”

“It is thanks to the collective efforts of everyone that we are here today, and we thank the members of the International Olympic Committee for recognizing our unity, our commitment to change and the great progress we are making as a sport.”

“Today is a time for celebration for weightlifting, but it should not be seen as an end. We must – and will – continue to work towards a new future for weightlifting as a healthy, modern and athlete-centric sport, in line with our strategic priorities.”

IMF President Mohammed Jalood (right) and IMF Secretary General Antonio Urso in Mumbai (IND)

Antonio Bear, IMF Secretary General taken into account: “This is the result of very hard work and commitment from the IWF family to changing the culture of our sport. The first shock wave caused by our exclusion from the Olympic program in 2028 finally forced us to take a new direction, with a renewed team since June 2022.

“Through our collective, transparent and decisive work, we have achieved massive improvements in two areas that needed more attention: good governance and anti-doping policy. Through a constructive and ongoing dialogue with the IOC, this change has been duly acknowledged and our beloved sport is back in the place it deserves: the Olympic arena.

“This is just the first step; We must continue to demonstrate our value, reliability and responsibility in a very competitive sporting environment. Our athletes and fans around the world definitely deserve this.”

Ursula Papandrea, First Vice President of the IMFexplained: “This is of course the best news for the weightlifting family! Our athletes, coaches and officials who dedicate their lives to this sport on all five continents deserve this recognition for their passion and hard work. At the IMF management level, this is also a fitting recognition of the immense change our association has undergone since the last board elections in June 2022.

IMF First Vice President Ursula Papandrea

“Concepts such as integrity, good governance, protection, transparency, gender equality, athlete representation or human rights are now part of the language and practice of the IWF. This is a fundamental change in the way we operate and govern sport on a global scale. But we must never rest on our laurels: this tireless commitment must continue so that we can survive and strengthen our added value in the Games program in particular and in the Olympic Movement in general.”

Chairman of the IWF Athletes Commission, Forrester Osei

Forrester Osei, Chairman of the IWF Athletes Commissionsaid: “On behalf of all of our amazing athletes, I cannot hide my joy at this unforgettable milestone! The return of our sport to the Olympic program is clear evidence that the IWF is now considered a respected and reliable organization. His efforts to keep athletes at the heart of his operations have proven essential to this successful strategy. Reforms that allow the direct election of Athletes’ Commission (AC) members by their peers or the addition of three AC representatives with full voting rights to the Board and Congress clearly demonstrate the IWF’s determination to change the culture of sport.

“We feel like we are being heard and are actively participating in the decision-making process. Our participation in the recent formulation of the first-ever IMF Strategic Plan is also evidence that lifters are being adequately addressed at the IMF level. From now on, we sincerely hope that Los Angeles 2028 is just the first stop on a long road of positive success for the weightlifting family. At this very happy moment, the role of our President Mohammed Jalood and all colleagues on the IMF Board must be recognized and duly honored.”

Hidilyn Diaz, member of the IWF Athletes Commission and the Philippines’ first female Olympic gold medalisttaken into account: “The Olympic Games are the ultimate goal of all athletes who play sports. I am in a good position to recognize the value and importance of participating in the greatest sporting event in the world! Knowing that weightlifting has been confirmed in the Los Angeles 2028 program is a great joy for all of us. Our sport is one of the founding sports in Olympic history and was present at the first edition of the Games in 1896. He also symbolizes like no other the term “Fortius” (stronger), which is included in the Olympic motto.

Hidilyn Diaz (PHI)

“I am sure that the IOC will not regret this very important decision; It is now up to us to continue to honor the Olympic principles and values. At this moment of satisfaction, I must thank IWF President Mohammed Jalood and the entire IWF leadership for their vision and hard work for the benefit of weightlifting and its athletes around the world.”

By IWF Communications