Weightlifting

What is Weightlifting?

Weightlifting is a sport that tests out the strength and technique of its athletes. As early as time can tell, people have been testing each other to determine who really is the strongest. Structured weightlifting would see the world stage for the first time at the 1896 Athens Olympics, where the events were drastically different compared to what is seen today. At the time, the events were classified as one-handed lifts and two-handed lifts.

How is Weightlifting played and what are the rules?

Nowadays, weightlifters compete in the clean and jerk, and the snatch. These have been the only two events since 1972 for Olympic weightlifting. Placement is determined by who completes these events with the most weight on the bar. Weightlifters are separated by weight class to ensure fairness. The snatch is a quick lift where the barbell begins on the ground. The weightlifter then lifts the bar up above their head while putting their body under the bar. The body ends up finishing in a squat position with the bar held above the head. The clean and jerk begins the same as the snatch, but the lifter brings the bar into a racked position on the front of the shoulders after bringing the bar up from the ground position. The lifter then pushes the bar up and above the head and finishes with the feet in a staggered position front to back.

Are there referees in weightlifting?

Referees determine if the weightlifter has completed the rep for a specific weight. There are three referees total, one head referee and two side judges. If the rep is legal and completed, the referees will say the rep was successful. If the rep is illegal, the referees call it a failed attempt.

Women in Olympic Weightlifting

Women compete in the exact same events as the men do. This began at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and has continued to this day.