In regards to David Boffa’s article posted the other week on All Things Gym, which discussed qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, we would like to thank Dr. Boffa for the insight in regards to the weightlifting qualification process. With no disrespect to the author, we feel that there are a few other points that should be addressed in relation to the new weight-classes and qualification process.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to punish the guilty, positive drug-test countries in the forthcoming Olympics. there is an entirely new set of weight classes as well as a rigorous individual qualification process, which is designed to put the emphasis on athletes and not the country as a participant in the Olympic Games. As a result of the actions taken by the IOC to “improve” weightlifting and mitigate drug use, the IOC has concurrently punished the non-guilty weightlifting countries and Olympic Weightlifting in its entirety. This sounds like a harsh claim but here is what it is to be considered. With the implementation of the “Olympic Weight classes“ there is now an overall reduction in the number of athletes in total participation as opposed to previous Games.
The IOC has reduced the number of slots available to Olympic Weightlifting by 92 lifters. This means that the number of positions available for Olympic Weightlifting in the 2020 Olympics has been reduced by one-third of the 2016 Brazil Olympics. More important, this is not a one time punishment – this is forever!
While many are championing and applauding at the steps taken to punish drug-abusing countries and make it more difficult for drug abuse to occur, there are far greater ominous portends that loom over the sport. Such a drastic reduction is a gateway to remove Olympic-style weightlifting entirely from the Olympics. While drug use is common in most all sports at a high-level, weightlifting receives particular scrutiny and unpopularity. This raises question as to what the International Weightlifting Federation is doing to help maintain the sport within the eyes of the IOC. Furthermore, after the news of scandal and all else that had occurred, those who are in charge at the IWF seem to have remained in this position without consequence.
Weightlifting is a great sport but we must recognize the bleak future that is ahead of it. Celebrating new weight-classes and qualification procedures do not help what is ultimately the death of it being an Olympic sport as we know it.
Written By Marc Chasnov and Danny Casey.
Photo by Viviana Podhaiski/Everyday Lifters
