Olympic Games

Weightlifting at the Olympics

Weigthlifting has been at the Olympic Games in all years except 1900, 1908 and 1912.
In Paris 1896, the events were the one hand lift and the two hand lift.
In 1904 the events were Two hand lift and All-around dumbbell.
In the early Games, all lifters competed in the same events, regardless of their individual body weights. From 1920 onwards, weight classes were set up. These classes have changed over time. Currently the men have 8 and the women 6 different weight classes.

Men’s Categories: Up to 56 kg, 56-62 kg, 62-69 kg, 69-77 kg, 77-85 kg, 85-94 kg, 94-105 kg, Over 105 kg. Women’s Categories: Up to 48 kg, 48-53 kg, 58-63 kg, 63-69 kg, 69-75 kg, Over 75 kg.
In the competition, each athlete has three attempts for each movement. The best performances in each lift are combined to determine the winners.
The 2000 Olympics was the first time that women were allowed to compete at the Olympics in weightlifting.