Weightlifting: IWF moves to restore reputation in Doha

By George Aluo

The Executive Board (EB) of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has taken fresh steps to restore its reputation at a meeting held yesterday in Doha.

The Doha extraordinary meeting of the Executive Board (EB) was said to have acted decisively to restore its reputation following a television report that aired on Germany’s ARD.

IWF in a release made available to Newstap.com.ng stated that a point-by-point analysis of the allegations made by ARD in its report was considered by the IWF Executive Board before it entered into comprehensive discussions and decided on a detailed plan of action.

The IWF release stated in part…”Consistent with the principle at the heart of the IWF’s successful and widely-welcomed recent anti-doping reforms, the IWF will now convene a group of independent experts to assess the validity of the ARD allegations. This work is expected to be completed during a 90-day period, starting immediately.”

The president of IWF Tamas Ajan was quoted as saying…“The ARD’s allegations against the IWF in general and against me in particular are unfounded. They are not supported by the relevant documentation or by people involved in the relevant decisions. Consequently, I have no doubt that external experts will vindicate my commitment of nearly fifty years to develop the sport of weightlifting.”

For the 90-day period, and consistent with the practice of good governance, IWF President Tamas Ajan has delegated a range of operational responsibilities to IWF Vice President Ursula Papandrea, who will temporarily serve alongside Ajan in an Acting President role.
“Weightlifting has always been bigger than one man, and I am happy to have Ursula acting by my side me in a presidential capacity. The EB and I know that she will do a great job of ensuring that the validity of these allegations is examined and established in a way that is beyond criticism,” said Ajan.
Papandrea will now head an ad hoc Oversight and Integrity Commission whose responsibilities will include identifying, nominating and recommending independent experts in fields including anti-doping and financial reporting. The experts will be appointed by the IWF EB. Serving alongside Papandrea on the commission will be fellow EB members H.E Marcus Stephen, Birendra Prasad Baishya and Karoliina Lundahl.
The Oversight and Integrity Commission will also ensure the provision of an interim report to the meetings of the IWF Executive Board and IWF Congress, scheduled for Bucharest on March 11-13.