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USA Weightlifting Demands IWF Action on Reforms

Oct. 14, 2020, 10 p.m. (ET)

8:00PM Mountain

October 14, 2020

Following yesterday's outrageous actions by the IWF Executive Board, USA Weightlifting sent the following letter to the IWF's 187 Member Federations asking them to join our demand that the IWF leadership convene an Extraordinary Congress by the end of November. 
 
The weightlifting world needs to come together urgently to address the need for continuing reforms at the IWF in the areas of anti-doping, governance and Athlete representation.
 
The very future of our sport is at stake. We will not rest until these vital issues are addressed equitably and ethically.

Press Contact
Kevin Farley
kevin.farley@usaweightlifting.org

Dear Interim President,
Dear General Secretary,
Dear International Weightlifting Federation Executive Board,

We, the undersigned Member Federations of the International Weightlifting Federation hereby invoke clause 4.1.14 of the IWF Constitution requiring the International Weightlifting Federation to convene an Extraordinary Congress.

We demand that Congress be called, per the constitution, as soon as is possible, no later than 90 days from the date of the 38th signatory of this document. The United States of America will offer to host the Congress in Colorado Springs, Colorado. However, we alternatively ask the IWF to use Ordinance 3 of the Swiss Government’s measures to respond to the Coronavirus to allow for an electronic congress, in this manner allowing the maximal attendance at the Congress. We ask this Congress be convened before the end of November 2020, in order that it precede the next expected meeting of the IOC Executive Board Meeting.

At that Congress, the undersigned demand that the election by the Congress of a new President, or endorsement of a President presented by the Executive Board, of the International Weightlifting Federation be placed upon the agenda, who may Preside over the IWF at the pleasure of said Congress until the next ordinary Electoral Congress.

At the same Congress, the undersigned demand that the formation and approval of the Congress of an Independent Reform and Governance Commission, to include elite athlete representation from outside of our sport and made up of experienced individuals in this area, charged with the constitutional reform of the Federation be placed upon the agenda.

At the same Congress, the undersigned demand that the formation and approval of a Disciplinary and Ethics Commission made up of independent individuals experienced in this area be included on the agenda.

We also assume that the IWF Athletes Commission, in full, will be invited to the Congress to give their views.

Signed:

Phil Andrews
General Secretary
USA Weightlifting