A collaboration of The Associated Press; El Periodico, Barcelona; El Mundo, Madrid

W E I G H T C L A S S E S

Super Hea vyweight 1992 GOLD:

Alexandre Kourlovitch,

Belarus,450.0 lbs.

Hea vyweight 1992 GOLD:

Kakhi Kakhiachvili,

Russia,412.5 lbs.

100kg/220 lbs.1992 GOLD:Pyrros Dimas,

Greece,370.0 lbs.

Mid. Hea vyweight

1992 GOLD:Fedor Kassapu,

Moldova,357.5 lbs.

Light Hea vyweight

1992 GOLD:Israil Arsamakov,

Russia,377.5 lbs.

Mid dle weight1992 GOLD:

Borislav Guidikov,

Bulgaria,375.0 lbs. (OR)

Lightweight1992 GOLD:

Israel Militossian,

Armenia,337.5 lbs.

Featherweight1992 GOLD:

Naim Suleymanoglu,

Turkey,320.0 lbs.

Bantamweight1992 GOLD:

Chun Byung-Kwan,

South Korea,287.5 lbs.

Fl yweight1992 GOLD:

Ivan Ivanov, Bulgaria,265.0 lbs.

Events are held in 10 weight classes. A lifter in the lower class trains at a higher body weight and then tries to lose some weight by the time he competes so he can make a lower weight class. A lifter in the higher class

54 kg119 lbs .

59 kg130 lbs .

64 kg141lbs .

70 kg154 lbs .

76 kg168 lbs .

83 kg183 lbs .

91 kg201 lbs .

99 kg218 lbs .

108 kg238 lbs .

108+ kg238+ lbs .

tries to maintain weight to stay in the class he plans to compete in. Weigh-in is scheduled two hours before competition. If a lifter does not make his intended class, he has one hour to make the weight. Some sit in a sauna or

exercise to sweat off some weight. Others drink a fruit shake or water to gain. A lifter is allowed to drink water while waiting in line to be weighed.WR-World record

OR-Olympic

Sources: The United States Weightlifting Federation, Summer Games Access, Barcelona Olympic Organizing Committee, Eyewitness Books Sports, The Grand Encyclopedia of the Olympic Games

L I F T E R

L I F T S

S N A T C H

Two lifts are contested — the snatch and the clean-and- jerk. Both require strength, speed and coordination.

This lift contains two motions, allowing more weight to be lifted. The barbell is lifted to a temporary position at the shoulders (the clean). The bar is then thrust in one continuous motion to an overhead hold with outstretched arms (the jerk).

C L E A N A N D

This is considered the more difficult lift because it is donein one continuous motion.The lifter pulls the bar to chest height, then moves underneath and raises it overhead. There must be nobreak in the action.

Pre-selects weights hewill attempt to lift.Has 90 seconds to begin once barbell is ready.Has three chances to perform a good lift.Makes two different lifts for his total score.Must be at least 17 years of age.Is rigorously tested for drugs.Wears belt to protect the back and midsection organs from rupturing.

Theclean

The

jerk

I’ll giv e the bigguys credit. It’ s

great to watch the big guys lift big

weights.

–Tim McRae, U.S.weightlifter who is 5'3" and 154 pounds

W E I G H T L I F T I NJULGeorgia World Congress Center

very athlete competing in Olympic weightlifting can lift at least two times his body weight. Olympic weightlifters are the strongest athletes in the world.

G R I P S

Platf orm:Non-skid surface,4.37 yards (4 meters sq.)

Ref erees: Two of the three referees must approve a lift using a light system which shows up on the scoreboard. Awhite light fora ‘good lift’and a redlight for‘no lift’.

Ref eree Scoreboar d: Lifter’sname, country, weight

class, weight ofattempt, referee’s

lights, timer,category of lift.

Scoring:Scoreis the

combinationof the highest

weight of both lifts.

In a tie, the manwith the lower

body weight wins.

Ref eree

“Hooking” is permitted.The last joint of the thumbis covered by the other fingers for a firmer grip.

Standard grip

Hook grip

Press out: Lifter bends arms while holding bar overhead and then presses out to make them straight.

Touc hing platf orm: Only a lifter’s feet may touch.

F ailure to contr ol bar: Bar must be under control in the overhead position.

In the c lean:Touching the arm or elbow on the knee or leg is not allowed.

Pulling fr om the hang : Stopping, then restarting after bar is off the platform.

Bar : Seven feet long, one inch thick, weighs 44 lbs.

Collar : One on each end of the bar to hold the plates;each weighs2.5 kg (5.52 lbs.)

Weights :Plates are color

coded by weight.

1.25 kg (2.76 lbs.)2.5 kg (5.5 lbs.)

5 kg (11 lbs.)10 kg (22 lbs.)15 kg (33 lbs.)20 kg (44 lbs.)

25 kg (55.1 lbs.)

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