IWF120y/57 – 2009: Creation of the IWF Development Programme
The idea had been launched 30 years earlier, at the end of the 1970s, when a “Development and Assistance Programme” was initiated to “support member countries of a low standard of weightlifting”, but the implementation of this project as we know it nowadays was set in 2009. Since then, formal procedures and requirements have been in place and the scope of the programme has been enlarged, allowing the allocation of direct financial support to potentially all IWF Member National and Continental Federations, as well as regional weightlifting bodies around the world. The amounts received by each of these entities can be used for several types of projects, namely: purchase of weightlifting equipment, organisation of seminars (photo – 2024 clinic in Nepal), support for event participation, the possibility of attending training camps, financing of coaching licenses, and assistance to ITOs (International Technical Officials). Besides the global programme, specific actions can be implemented for federations having suffered an important disruption of their activities due to natural catastrophes or situations of conflict. Moreover, immediate support to lifters is also possible – before the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, an “IWF Athletes Direct Support Programme” was put in place to assist 10 international elite competitors with Olympic potential. The IWF Development Programme has been pivotal, throughout the years, to ensure universal participation of athletes and officials in our events.