Weightlifting’s future uncertain

DID we see the last of Hidilyn Diaz’s heroics in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics? That her golden lift on July 26 was her swan song?

So, to be sure, frame that historic moment now

in your mind like a laminated memento that lasts forever?

But why is that?

Weightlifting is in serious danger of getting scrapped in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Olympic officials, led by President Thomas of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), had actually allowed the sport in Tokyo 2020 only out of pity.

The reason being that the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) had been wracked by internal strife, corruption and doping scandals in the run-up to Tokyo 2020.

IWF officialdom were to blame.

So, why punish the athletes for the fault of their leaders?

Good thing Bach sided with the athletes. Thanks to him as Hidilyn Diaz’s Tokyo victory gave the Philippines its first Olympic gold medal after a 97year wait.

Barely three weeks after the Tokyo Olympics, IWF

came up with a new Constitution that allowed three athletes and 30 percent women inclusion to the new Board.

After the convention of the 133-member federation IWF, interim president Dr. Michael Irani said: “To have a Constitution adopted in just 10 months during the pandemic is a real demonstration of the IWF’S determination to move towards a brighter future that is based on solid foundations.”

Said Pyrros Dimas, the legendary Greek weightlifter: “I see happy faces…i hope everything will be the same from here to the future.”

In the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics, more than 30 athletes were stripped of their medals for doping as corruption marked the 45-year IWF reign of Tamas Ajan as secretary general for 25 years and as president for 20 years.

He is accused of doping cover-up, bribery schemes and an unexplained $10 million in missing funds. He denied any wrongdoing. But vice president Nicu Vlad and board member Hasan Akkus were suspended in June for obstructing doping probes.

So scandal-ridden was the IWF that Canadian Christine Girard won her gold from the 2012 London Games when lifters from Kazakhstan and Russia, who placed ahead of her, were both disqualified for the same substance, the steroid stanozolol.

Bach will preside over an IOC meet on September 8 in Tokyo to decide on the fate of weightlifting in Paris 2024.

Let’s pray the sport gets a reprieve—and keep alive Hidilyn Diaz’s hopes of retaining her crown in Paris.

THAT’S IT I’m glad to see Naomi Osaka back to defend her US Open tennis crown. More than her return, I’m happy, too, that she has finally realized the wisdom behind granting media interviews after a match. She has grown up?...condolences to the loved ones of Admiral Ben Lista (ret.), who succumbed to Covid-19 yesterday at St. Luke’s. Rest in peace, apo.