In brief
IWF General Secretary Jose Quinones told Xinhua at the World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo that weightlifting must evolve or it could become a ‘dinosaur.’ He highlighted the federation’s anti‑doping overhaul, the trial of mixed‑team and public‑space competitions, and plans for a 2028 competition calendar as key steps to re‑engage younger fans. Quinones underscored that clean sport and youth role‑models are essential for a sustainable future.
At the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo, International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) General Secretary Jose Quinones warned that the sport risks becoming a "dinosaur" if it does not evolve. He urged the federation to innovate to attract younger audiences while maintaining its commitment to clean competition.
Quinones said the challenge is acute because traditional Olympic sports are losing younger fan interest to newer forms of entertainment that may not enforce rigorous doping controls. He added, "The people who follow the Olympic sports are getting older, while new sports or physical activities, where doping is not controlled, are only a show with no principles, stepping forward." (“How can you remain competitive and clean against people who don't have the same values?”)
Key to restoring confidence in weightlifting, Quinones explained, is rule‑making that remains outside the federation’s direct control. He said the IWF has transferred responsibility for doping controls to the independent International Testing Authority, noting: "We don't decide who will be tested; we decide, if it's a positive case, what the sanction will be. Everything is in third hands. In that way, we cannot control, we cannot hide anything." The federation has also increased testing, particularly outside competition, and allocates a fixed proportion of its annual international budget to anti‑doping measures, education, and seminars. He added, "In the last two Olympic Games we have zero doping cases."
Weightlifting has faced intense scrutiny over its doping record, especially following the retesting of samples from the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics, which uncovered numerous violations and contributed to a substantial reduction in the sport’s Olympic athlete quotas. Quinones said, "We need role models that can bring this youth to a clean society, through the sport. We're talking about our society, our community, the future of our youth generation."
Reforms and New Formats
In addition to anti‑doping reforms, the IWF is exploring ways to make weightlifting more appealing to younger spectators. A mixed‑team competition featuring two men and two women was trialed earlier this year, and the federation is planning to introduce public‑space competitions in 2028 to broaden fan engagement. According to the IWF, these promotional experiments aim to give audiences a more dynamic viewing experience while preserving the sport’s technical integrity.
To support these efforts, the IWF announced a new international competition schedule for 2028, which will include a mix of traditional and innovative formats. The federation said it will use the rescheduled calendar to showcase the sport’s evolution and generate renewed interest among youth.”
While the IWF’s reforms aim to protect the sport’s reputation, Quinones emphasized that attracting the next generation requires more than nationalistic pride or high‑profile athletes. “It’s about role models who exemplify clean competition and a future of a healthy, active society,” he said. This underscores the IWF’s dual focus on restoring trust and rejuvenating the sport’s fan base.
