Weightlifting risks being dropped from 2024 Paris Olympics

Marie-Eve Beauchemin-Nadeau, of Canada, competes in the women's 69kg weightlifting competition. (Mike Groll/AP)

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The IOC warned weightlifting's troubled governing body again on Wednesday the sport faces being dropped from the 2024 Paris Olympics if doping and leadership issues are not dealt with.

The situation at the International Weightlifting Federation "is becoming increasingly serious,'' the Olympic body said, citing a failure to follow its previous advice about how to improve anti-doping efforts.

The IWF has been in turmoil since irregular finances and doping coverups under long-time president Tamas Ajan were exposed last year by German broadcaster ARD.

Ajan later resigned from the IWF and gave up his honorary membership of the IOC before the allegations were confirmed by Canadian investigator Richard McLaren.

Weightlifting's Olympic reputation was already tarnished by more than 50 positive doping tests in reanalysis of samples from the 2008 and 2012 Summer Games.

The IOC previously cut one medal event and 64 athlete entries from weightlifting's program at the Tokyo Olympics this year.

On Wednesday, the IOC said it could also cut the quota of IWF officials allowed to attend in Tokyo.

When submitting content, please abide by our  submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.
We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn More or change your cookie preferences. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of cookies.
close