GENEVA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- The success at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games highlights the global development of weightlifting, which remains active and strong, according to International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) President Mohammed Jalood.

In an interview with Xinhua on Thursday, Jalood emphasized the IWF's ongoing commitment to combating cheating in the sport.

"We had a total of 58 nations (and regions) competing in the French capital. This is undoubtedly one of the best ratios among all sports, considering the total number of athletes and the variety of countries (and regions) they represent," Jalood said. "Moreover, 20 countries (and regions) got at least one medal at these Games, proving that weightlifting is active and strongly developing globally."

The Olympic weightlifting competition in Paris saw several changes, including a reduction in the number of categories from 14 to 10 and a limit on the number of athletes each team could field in each category. Despite these adjustments, Jalood assured that the sport was not negatively impacted.

"[IWF] has experienced troubled moments in the past, namely with challenges related to poor governance and a culture that unfortunately included the use of prohibited substances. Weightlifting was at risk of losing its place in the Olympic program. Our athlete quota was nevertheless reduced to the present 120 lifters in 10 bodyweight categories.

"But as the entire world witnessed, this didn't prevent a great competition at the Olympic Games, with amazing performances from our stars. The reduction of quota for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games obliged the IWF to review its qualification procedure and the maximum number of athletes for each member committee, so that we could keep the best possible universality at the Games," he explained.

Jalood also praised the Chinese weightlifters' outstanding performance in Paris, where China claimed five gold medals.

"China is a powerhouse in our sport and its best athletes did not disappoint in Paris, after earning five gold medals. This is an outstanding result, proving that the sport has a special place in the heart of Chinese people. Chinese lifters are great champions and your country can be proud of them," Jalood said.

The IWF plans to deepen its cooperation with China to further develop the sport. Ningbo, China, is set to host the 2026 IWF World Championships, and the University of Fuzhou has established a world-class training facility with the IWF's support.

"All sports in the Olympic arena have a dominant group of nations (and regions) in the medal charts. In weightlifting, China is at the top of the pyramid. Weightlifting, like any other sport, needs stars, admired for their performances and their promotion of the sport they love. China has been able to produce consistent stars over the years, which is very positive for weightlifting," Jalood said.

At the end of 2023, the IWF approved its first-ever Strategic Plan, covering the period from 2024 to 2032. This plan underscores the federation's firm stance on anti-doping and incorporates key elements of good governance, including gender equity, athlete representation, integrity and safeguarding, sustainability, and inclusivity.

As a result of these efforts, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed weightlifting's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games at its session in October 2023.

"The IWF is investing a lot of human and financial resources in this important topic, and the results are already quite promising. In the majority of our major competitions, there are no longer positive cases, proving that a true culture change is operating among our Member Federations," Jalood added.

"This is a merciless battle, but we are 100 percent engaged in fighting back those who still think that doping is possible in our sport! It isn't, and the vast majority of our lifters are now abiding by the principles of fair and clean competition!" he vowed. Enditem

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