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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| 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). |