Technical details
There are two lifts in the weightlifting competition: the snatch and the
clean-and-jerk. For both lifts, the competitors lift long metal bars with metal
weights attached at either end.
Weights vary from 0.25kg to 25kg and vary in colour according to weight.
Competitors decide at which weight to begin and at which subsequent 2.5kg
intervals to continue. All competitors have three attempts at each lift.
The weightlifter lifting the highest aggregate total from the two lifts wins.
In the case of a tie, the competitor with the lowest body weight wins.
In the snatch, the lifter takes a wide arm position on the bar and raises the
weight above his head without stopping in one movement. He must hold the weight
motionless until the referee gives the signal for it to be put down. The lift is
disallowed if the bar is dropped from any height above the waist.
The clean and jerk consists of two movements. The bar is lifted to the chest
in one movement and then lifted to the full stretch of the arms above the head
and held motionless.
All competitors are weighed before competition to prove that they are within
their category. If they are heavier they move up to a higher class.
Five facts
1) Weightlifting formed part of the programme at the first Olympic Games of modern times in 1896, coming under the category of athletics.
2) In 1920 weightlifting became a separate programme sport.
3) Since the first Games, weightlifting has changed significantly with the
one-hand and two-handed lifts replaced by the snatch and the clean-and-jerk.
4) The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games saw the introduction of women's
weightlifting, with seven weight categories.
5) Great Britain won the first Olympic medal in weightlifting when Launceston
Elliot lifted 71kg in one hand. The last medal to be won by Great Britain in
weightlifting was by David Mercer who won bronze in 1984 for the
middle-heavyweight category. In total, Great Britain has won one gold, three
silver and three bronze medals in weightlifting.
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