Main scoreboard

The large scoreboard on the wall helps spectators to follow the progress of the competition by indicating all the important data on the lifters, the progress of the competition and the actual ranking in that particular competition (group/session).

Record board

The records relevant to the competition/championships and the category contested are displayed in the venue for information to the public. When displayed on the main scoreboard, the records are immediately updated.

Multi-video screen

Replays of the lifts in slow motion from different angles are presented to the public and the Jury after each attempt to allow for better observation of the athletes' movements, which are very fast in real time.

Costume/outfit of competitors

Competitors wear a - usually - one-piece, close-fitting leotard, with or without a T-shirt underneath.

Weightlifting shoes

are designed specially to give stability to the feet during the execution of the lift.

Weightlifting belt

(Maximum 120mm wide) may be worn to support the trunk during the attempt.

Bandages

May be worn on the wrists or the knees. Elastic knee-caps may also be worn instead of the knee bandage. Weightlifters may use special gloves to improve their grip on the bar.

Rules

THE SNATCH

The barbell is placed horizontally in front of the lifter's legs. It is gripped, palms downwards and pulled in a single movement from the platform to the full extent of both arms above the head, while either splitting or bending the legs. During this continuous movement, the barbell may slide along the thighs and the lap. No part of the body other than the feet may touch the platform during the execution of the lift. The weight, which has been lifted, must be maintained in the final motionless position, arms and legs extended, the feet on the same line, until the referees give the signal to replace the barbell on the platform. The lifter may recover in his or her own time, either from a split or a squat position, and finish with the feet on the same line, parallel to the plane of the trunk and the barbell. The referees give the signal to lower the barbell as soon as the lifter becomes motionless in all parts of the body.

THE CLEAN AND JERK

The first part, the Clean: The barbell is placed horizontally in front of the lifter's legs. It is gripped, palms downwards and pulled in a single movement from the platform to the shoulders, while either splitting or bending the legs. During this continuous movement, the barbell may slide along the thighs and the lap. The barbell must not touch the chest before the final position. It then rests on the clavicles or on the chest above the nipples or on the arms fully bent. The feet return to the same line, legs straight before performing the Jerk. The lifter may make this recovery in his or her own time and finish with the feet on the same line, parallel to the plane of the trunk and the barbell.

The second part, the Jerk: The athlete bends the legs and extends them as well as the arms to bring the barbell to the full stretch of the arms vertically extended. He or she returns the feet to the same line; arms and legs fully extended, and waits for the referees' signal to replace the barbell on the platform. The referees give the signal to lower the barbell as soon as the lifter becomes motionless in all parts of the body.

GENERAL RULES FOR ALL LIFTS

The technique known as "hooking" is permitted. It consists of covering the last joint of the thumb with the other fingers of the same hand at the moment of gripping the barbell.

In all lifts, the referees must count as "No lift" any unfinished attempt in which the barbell has reached the height of the knees. After the referees signal to lower the barbell, the lifter must lower it in front of the body and not let it drop either deliberately or accidentally. The grip on the barbell may be released when it has passed the level of the waist.

A competitor, who cannot fully extend the elbow due to an anatomical deformation, must report this fact to the three referees and the Jury before the start of the competition.

When snatching or cleaning in the squat style, the lifter may help the recovery by making swinging and rocking movements of the body.

The use of grease, oil, water, talcum or any similar lubricant on the thighs is forbidden. Lifters are not permitted to have any substance on their thighs when arriving in the competition area. A lifter who uses any lubricant is ordered to remove it. During the removal the cloc