Monthly Archives: February 2026

By IWF

The Weightlifting Qualification System for the Olympic Games LA 2028 has been approved by the IOC Executive Board, after extensive consultation and collaboration with the IWF.

The sport of Weightlifting will be represented at the upcoming edition of the Olympic Games by 120 lifters (60 men and 60 women), competing in 12 bodyweight categories (six for men and six for women). From this total number, 108 athletes will be selected through quota places (including 96 through a Qualification ranking, and 12 from continental representation), six can be selected as Host Country representatives, and another six will come through Universality quota.

The qualification timeline will run from July 27, 2026 though May 7, 2028 and will include two main qualification periods and events:

Period 1 / 6 events

▪ 2026 IWF World Senior Championships

▪ 2026 IWF Qualifier I

▪ 2027 IWF Qualifier II

▪ 2027 Continental Senior Championships (or Continental Senior Games)

▪ 2027 IWF Qualifier III

▪ 2027 IWF World Senior Championships

Period 2 / 4 events

▪ 2027 IWF Qualifier IV

▪ 2028 IWF Qualifier V

▪ 2028 Continental Senior Championships

▪ 2028 IWF World Senior Championships

In order to be eligible for the IWF Olympic Qualification Ranking, lifters must achieve three Total results during Period 1 and two Total results during Period 2

The full details of the Weightlifting Qualification System can be found here

By IWF

In a significant step to enhance the visibility and impact of its Athletes Commission (AC), the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has launched a dedicated webpage for this key body within its main website, following an initiative led by the IWF Athletes Commission itself to strengthen communication and engagement with athletes worldwide.

The new AC portal (ac.iwf.sport) is accessible directly from the IWF website via a newly added main menu item at the top of the homepage titled “AC Portal.”

This microsite outlines the structure, mission, and objectives of the IWF Athletes Commission and serves as a central hub for sharing information on activities, events, and initiatives relevant to the global weightlifting community. Developed at the request of the Athletes Commission, the platform is designed to provide athletes with direct access to resources, updates, and key policy information. It also offers important insights into the IWF’s anti-doping framework, as well as tools dedicated to athletes’ health and wellbeing.

“This is an important milestone for our sport and for our athletes,” said Forrester Osei, Chair of the IWF Athletes Commission. “The Athletes Commission identified the need for a direct and transparent channel of communication between lifters and the leadership of the IWF, and this portal is the result of that initiative.”

“This platform gives us a concrete tool to fulfil our mission,” Mr Osei added. “It will provide our community with valuable resources and information that will help athletes perform better – not only on the competition platform, but also in their personal lives.”

Looking ahead, the Athletes Commission is eager to see how the platform develops, particularly in the lead-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. “We thank everyone who supported and contributed to turning this Athletes Commission initiative into reality. Their commitment will help make the IWF and the sport of weightlifting stronger on a global scale,” Mr Osei concluded.

As a dynamic and evolving space designed to engage lifters worldwide, the Athletes Commission warmly welcomes suggestions and feedback to help enrich and update the portal’s content.