Weightlifting (often known as Olympic weightlifting) is a competitive strength sport in which athletes compete in lifting a barbell loaded with weight plates from the ground to overhead, with the aim of successfully lifting the heaviest weights. Athletes compete in two specific ways of lifting the barbell overhead. The snatch is a wide-grip lift, in which the weighted barbell is lifted overhead in one motion. The clean and jerk is a combination lift, in which the weight is first taken from the ground to the front of the shoulders (the clean), and then from the shoulders to over the head (the jerk). The sport formerly included a third lift/event known as clean and press. Each weightlifter gets three attempts at both the snatch and the clean and jerk, with the snatch attempted first. An athlete's score is the combined total of the highest successfully-lifted weight in kilograms for each lift. Athletes compete in various weight classes, which are different for each sex and have changed over time. Weightlifting is an Olympic sport, and has been contested in every Summer Olympic Games since 1920. While the sport is officially named "weightlifting", the terms "Olympic weightlifting" and "Olympic-style weightlifting" are often used to distinguish it from the other sports and events that involve the lifting of weights, such as powerlifting, weight training, and strongman events. Similarly, the snatch and the clean and jerk are known as the "Olympic lifts". While other strength sports test limit of strength, Olympic-style weightlifting also tests limits of human power (explosive strength): the Olympic lifts are executed faster, and require more mobility and a greater range of motion during their execution, than other barbell lifts. The Olympic lifts, and their variations (e.g., power snatch, power clean) as well as components of the Olympic lifts (e.g., cleans, squats) are used by elite athletes in other sports to train for both explosive strength (power) and functional strength.
Competition The sport is competed at local, national, and international levels. The sport is governed internationally by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), which runs the World Weightlifting Championships each year.
Component lifts
The snatch is a lift wherein an athlete sweeps the barbell up and overhead in one fluid action: the lifter takes a wide-grip on the bar and pulls the barbell off the floor before rapidly re-bending their knees to get themself under the barbell (usually bringing themself into a deep overhead squat position), so that the barbell is supported over their head with arms outstretched. The snatch is then completed by the lifter rising to a standing position while holding the barbell overhead. The snatch demands precise balance.
The clean and jerk is a combination lift, in which the athlete gets the barbell overhead in two stages: first by lifting the barbell into support on the front of the shoulders, a position known as the front rack (the clean), and then lifting it from shoulders to overhead (the jerk). To perform the clean, the lifter takes a shoulder-width grip on the bar and pulls it off the floor, and then rapidly re-bends their knees (and bends their arms) to get their body under the barbell and "catch" the bar on the front of the shoulders (usually in a deep front squat position). The lifter finishes the clean by rising to a standing position while holding the barbell on the front of their shoulders. The lifter then uses the jerk to jump into a bent knees position (most commonly with one foot forward and the other back, a technique known as the split jerk) while pumping the barbell overhead. The jerk is completed when the lifter re-straightens the legs (bringing them together after a split jerk) so they come to a straight standing position with the barbell held overhead. A third lift, the clean and press, was also a competition lift from 1924 through 1972. It entails a clean followed by an overhead press. The overhead press is distinguished from the jerk, in that jerking movements, bending of the legs, and displacement of the feet are prohibited. It was discontinued after 1972 due to difficulties in judging proper form.
Weight classes Athletes compete in a division determined by their body mass. These are the new International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) weight classes, which effect since August 1, 2026: Current Weight Classes: IWF Men's weight classes
60 kg 65 kg * 70 kg 75 kg * 85 kg * 95 kg * 110 kg * +110 kg * * indicates weight classes that will be contested at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles: IWF Women's weight classes
49 kg 53 kg * 57 kg 61 kg * 69 kg * 77 kg * 86 kg * +86 kg * * indicates weight classes that will be contested at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles: Former Weight Classes: From June 1, 2025 through August 1, 2026, the IWF used the following weight classes: IWF Former Men's weight classes (2025–2026):
60 kg 65 kg 71 kg 79 kg 88 kg 94 kg 110 kg +110 kg IWF Former Women's weight classes (2025–2026):
48 kg 53 kg 58 kg 63 kg 69 kg 77 kg 86 kg +86 kg From 2018 to 2025 the IWF had 10 weight classes, 7 of which were contested at the 2020 Summer Olympics. IWF Former Men's weight classes (2018–2025): Categories
55 kg (121 lb) 61 kg (134 lb) 67 kg (148 lb) 73 kg (161 lb) 81 kg (179 lb) 89 kg (196 lb) 96 kg (212 lb) 102 kg (225 lb) 109 kg (240 lb) 109 kg and over (240 lb+) Only five weight classes were chosen for Paris 2024:
61 kg, 73 kg, 89 kg, 102 kg and over 102 kg. IWF Former Women's weight classes (2018–2025): Categories
45 kg (99 lb) 49 kg (108 lb) 55 kg (121 lb) 59 kg (130 lb) 64 kg (141 lb) 71 kg (157 lb) 76 kg (168 lb) 81 kg (179 lb) 87 kg (192 lb) 87 kg and over (192 lb+) Weight classes chosen for Paris 2024:
49 kg, 59 kg, 71 kg, 81 kg and over 81 kg.
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