ACOG - Weightlifting - IBM

Spectator's Guide to Olympic Weightlifting

They grunt, they groan, but they get the weight in the air. Weightlifting remains a sport with a singular focus: The strongest man is the one who lifts the most weight. Since the beginning of time, the competitive nature of the human male has surfaced in territorial struggles at times settled by who can lift the most. Cavemen lifted rocks, Paul ANDERSON lifted cars.

As modern advances from the wheel to the airplane gave people the gift of free time, what once was an aspect of survival became friendly competition. Today, serious athletes in almost every sport use a form of weightlifting to improve their performance. What many people don't realize is that what they do in the gym is very different from Olympic-style weightlifting.

The Basics

Two lifts are contested in weightlifting: the snatch and the clean and jerk. Medals are sometimes given to the top three lifters in each individual lift category and always for the overall total (best snatch plus best clean-and- jerk). Final placing is based on a lifter's total. At the Olympic Games, medals are awarded only for totals.

In both lifts, the bar must be held overhead until the referees' down signal. The down signal is given once the lifter is motionless.

A lifter's total represents the combined weight of his best snatch and clean and jerk.

Competition Procedure

Each weightlifter is allowed three attempts for each lift. If a lifter misses all three opportunities in the snatch or in the clean and jerk, he is ineligible for final placing. Only the heaviest successful snatch and clean and jerk are used when tabulating the final score (total). The amount of weight each individual lifter chooses to start with determines the lifting order for the competition (lightest to heaviest). In the case of identical weight requests, the order is determined by lot numbers. The weight lifted must increase in increments of 2.5 kg for each attempt. In the case of attempting to break a national record, a fourth attempt may be granted. In this instance, the weight increase may be as little as .5 kg. Each lifter has a 60-second time limit in which to begin the lift. If the lifter is making consecutive attempts, 2 minutes are allowed between lifts. If upon completion of a weightclass, two lifters have identical totals, the lifter with the lower bodyweight is awarded the higher place.

Glossary

Bomb: Failing to record a total.

Hooking: Hooking is a technique used to hold the bar. A hook grip is when thumbs are placed around the bar and underneath the index and second fingers.

Kilogram: Weight in the sport of weightlifting is measured in kilograms. One kilogram equals 2.2046 pounds.

Six for six: This refers to a lifter making six valid lifts in six attempts — three successful snatches and three successful clean and jerks.

Snatch

The snatch is the more technical and more explosive of the two lifts. Performed in one continuous movement, the bar is brought from the platform to a position overhead using one fluid motion. The lifter pulls the bar to about chest height and then, in the moment before the bar starts to descend, pulls his body into a squat position under the bar, securing it overhead — arms held straight. The lifter must then stand and wait for the referees' signal, called a "down" signal, to lower the bar. The down signal is usually indicated by the sounding of a horn.

Clean and Jerk

More weight is lifted in the clean and jerk than in the snatch, and two separate efforts are involved. For the "clean," the lifter must pull the weight from the platform to his shoulders in one motion. The bar is pulled to about waist level, keeping it close to the body — close enough for the bar to brush the thighs. Then, before the bar starts to descend, the lifter pulls his body beneath the bar, secures the bar on his shoulders or chest, and then stands erect. The "jerk" then follows in which the lifter thrusts the bar from his shoulders to a position overhead, again in one motion, and splits his legs front and back. The lifter then brings his feet together and awaits the signal from the referee to lower the bar.

General Rules for All Lifts

1. "Hooking" is permitted. It consists of covering the last joint of the thumb with the other fingers of the same hand at the moment of gripping.

2. Pulling from the "hang" is forbidden.

3. Touching the bar against the legs shall not render the lift "no lift."

4. The referee must count as "no lift" any unfinished attempt in which the bar has arrived at the height of the knees.

5. If the bar stops in its upward path before arriving at the shoulders (clean) or arms' length (snatch and jerk) it shall render the attempt "no lift."

6. The use of grease, water or any similar lubricant of any kind on the thighs is forbidden. The lifter who uses lubricants will be ordered to remove it. The clock will run during the removal.

7. Touching the platform with any part of the body other than the feet shall render the attempt "no lift."

8. Any clean in which the bar is placed on the chest before the turning over of the elbows shall render the attempt "no lift."

9. Any clean touching the thighs or knees with the elbows or upper arms shall render the attempt "no lift."

10. In the jerk, any apparent effort from the shoulders, if the lift is not completed, must be counted as "no lift." This includes lowering the body or bending the knees.

11. After the referees' signal to replace the bar on the platform, the lifter must lower the bar and not let it drop either deliberately or accidentally. The lifter may release his grip when the barbell has fallen below waist level.

12. If a competitor cannot fully stretch his arm resulting from anatomical deformation of his elbows, he must report this fact to the three referees and the jury before the beginning of the competition.

Common Errors

Press out: When an athlete bends his arms while holding the bar overhead and then presses out to make them straight.

Touching the platform: A lifter may touch the ground with his feet, but no other part of the body is allowed to touch the platform.

Failure to control the bar: A lifter must have the bar under complete control prior to the down signal.

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

Equipment

Shoes: Low- or high-topped shoes are used. The soles are made out of wood or rubber, and the uppers of leather or suede.

Platform: A competition platform measures 4 m x 4 m. It may be made out of wood, plastic or any other solid material, and be covered with a non-slippery material.

Bar: The bar weighs 20 kg (44 lbs.) and is 2.200 mm long and 28 mm in diameter. As a competition progresses, the weight on the bar never decreases. The ends of the bar consist of revolving sleeves on which the weight plates are loaded.

Plates: The discs, or bumper plates, are covered with rubber or plastic and are color-coded according to weight.

Minimum weight: The minimum weight of a loaded barbell for competition is 27.5 kg.

Collars: These secure the weights on the bar. Each collar weighs 2.5 kg. The bar must be loaded with the largest discs toward the middle of the bar, with the smaller ones descending in order toward the outside.

Belt: A lifter may use a weightlifting belt, though it may not exceed 120 mm in width.

Bandages and wraps: Bandages and wraps are allowed, though strict limits are placed on width (300 mm at the knees, 100 mm at the wrists).

Chalk: Chalk may be applied to the hands and thighs, if desired, in an unlimited quantity.

This is an official publication of The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Jennifer Knight.


Olympic Factoid
The Mother Nature was kind to Olympic athletes and spectators. The average high temperature during the Games was 89 degrees with an average low of 72 degrees. Highest temperature registered (20 July) - 99 degrees. Lowest high temperature registered is 79 degrees (28 July).