IWF leadership meets ASOIF President in Lausanne

The IWF President Mohammed Jalood and General Secretary Antonio Urso yesterday held a working meeting in Lausanne (SUI) with the ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti. The discussions focused on enhancing the already excellent co-operation between the two entities, the progress made by the IWF since the election of its new Executive Board in the summer of 2022, and topics related to preparation for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The IWF highlighted its recent decision concerning the participation of Individual Neutral Athletes in weightlifting events, following the previous recommendations of the IOC on the complex matter.

Mohammed Jalood (IWF President), Francesco Ricci Bitti (ASOIF President) and Antonio Urso (IWF General Secretary)

Mr Jalood and Mr Urso also emphasised the significant efforts that the IWF is making in anti-doping, specifically the important partnership with the International Testing Agency (ITA), the increased resources and results in the IWF’s fight against doping cheats and the federation’s full determination to deliver a clean sport for the benefit of all IWF athletes. Other subjects addressed in the meeting included the strengthening of good governance principles within the IWF, the mandate for wide-reaching positive reform, and the further development of the IWF’s headquarters in Lausanne. A tangible example of this spirit of reform is the creation of the first-ever IWF Strategic Plan (covering the period 2024-2032), to be approved in September.

Finally, the IWF was also happy to report that the qualification for the upcoming Olympic Games is proceeding without major problems and that hundreds of very motivated lifters around the world are doing their best to be amongst the 120 athletes that can compete next year in Paris. The next qualification event will be the IWF showcase, its World Championships, taking place from September 4-17 in Riyadh (KSA).

“It was a very fruitful and pleasant meeting. As a valuable partner of the Olympic Movement, the IWF could always count on a very positive collaboration from ASOIF. We are grateful to President Ricci Bitti for his recognition and support of the path IWF is taking now and in the years to come. This certainly gives us additional motivation to continue working in this direction, for the sake of our National Member Federations and their respective athletes, coaches and officials. Working hand-in-hand and in a spirit of unity is the only route to success,” considered the IWF President after the meeting.