The Oly Encyclopedia 5

What is Weightlifting?

Weightlifting is a sport that involves lifting a barbell overhead.
Formally, thesport has existed on an international level in something resembling its current form for more than 100 years.
Today the sport s practiced in more than 130 countries around the world. It is the only event involving use of heavy weights that is part of the Olympic games.(which is why the sport is often called "Olympic lifting").
The sport of weightlifting consists of two events (which is why it is something referred to as a biathlon). The first event, the snatch, involves lifting a barbell from the floor to arm's length overhead in one continues motion. It is one of the most difficult , explosive and elegant events in sport. The second event called the clean and jerk (C&J). It involves lifting the barbell from the floor to the shoulders in one continues motion and then, in a second motion, bringing the weight to arm's length overhead.it is by far the single greatest test of strength in all of organized athletics.

Weightlifting: A sport that is as wonderful as it is misunderstood

There may be no sport ever conceived by the mind of man or women that is misunderstood or underappreciated as the sport of Olympic-style Weightlifting - the sport that tests how much weight a man or a women can lift from the ground to arm's length above his or her head.
That the strongest man and woman in world compete in weightlifting is understood by some people( although many still believe a falsehood - that other athletes a stronger than weightlifters). But most people think weightlifting is far more dangerous than it is, underestimate the speed, flexibility and coordination that is required to be a champion weightlifter, and are completely unaware of the sheer pleasure that there is in mastering the technique of weightlifting.
There is literally no other sport that challenges your strength , skill and mental powers more fully than weightlifting. All of these factors and others make weightlifting the uniquely fascinating and unbelievably rewarding sport that it is for men and women of all sizes and ages.