Weightlifting: IWF launches Athletes Direct Support Programme ahead of Paris 2024 Olympics
The IWF is pleased to announce the launch of an Athletes Direct Support Programme, an initiative aimed at assisting 10 weightlifters in their preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris (FRA). These scholarships will be awarded to five male and five female athletes from developing nations and under the following eligibility criteria: participation in at least one IWF Olympic qualification event until July 1, 2023; inclusion in the top-25 of the IWF Olympic Ranking; absence of sanction for an anti-doping violation; provision of whereabouts for the entire period of the programme (July-December 2023).
Taking these requirements into consideration, the IWF Selection Panel will evenly choose a maximum of two athletes per continent, one competitor per Olympic body category, and one lifter per country. This Panel is formed by the Chair of the IWF Athletes Commission Forrester Osei, a member of that Commission (Maude Charron), the IWF Vice-President Pyrros Dimas, and an independent member (Ioannis Mournianakis).
The allocated amount for this project is US 30’000, including US 5’000 personally donated by the IWF President Mohammed Jalood. Each of the selected athletes will receive US$ 3’000, to be distributed in three payments (July, October, and December 2023).
“We would like to show our appreciation to the IWF Executive Board for taking this very important initiative. It shows that our leadership is listening and taking into account the athletes’ voice. The support given to these 10 athletes will be a strong help in their qualification path for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. As Athletes Commission, we are very happy to ‘pilot’ this project, which we hope won’t be limited to 2023 but will become part of our yearly budget in the future,” considers AC Chair Forrester Osei.
“To all those trying to qualify for Paris, we wish them the best of luck – we hope to see them in the Olympics, representing their nation with pride and dignity. The AC has a lot of projects that align with their goals – we are here for them and fighting to ensure their voice is heard,” Osei concludes.
To apply for this programme, interested lifters have to send their application form to the IWF by no later than May 31, 2023.
