T.C. Newsletter (NO2 2003)

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER NO: 2 2003

In order to clear up some current misunderstanding as to the use of apparel this directive is being sent to all IPF referees. IPF President Norbert Wallauch addressed this issue and in part his statement was clear when he wrote. ' This means that only these "approved items" are valid for ALL championships and records from local to world level' The President further stated, "we do NOT have different rules for different occasions, therefore the IPF cannot allow the use of non-approved gear to anybody who lifts under the Guidelines of the IPF".

Since there still appears to be some misunderstanding in 2 or 3 countries it is my aim to clarify this issue. The IPF Technical Rules state clearly "only costumes, shirts and wraps from commercial manufacturers officially registered and approved by the Technical Committee shall be permitted for use in Powerlifting Competitions". This means that only these "approved items" are valid, without restrictions, for ALL championships and records from local to world level. We do NOT have different rules for different occasions, therefore the IPF cannot allow the use of non-approved gear to anybody who lifts under the Guidelines of the IPF. No meet director, referee, or national rule shall supercede or amend IPF rules of competition as published by the IPF Technical Committtee. No IPF referee shall approve or allow any supportive equipment that does not appear on the IPF "approved equipment" list to be used in any competition in any nation affiliated with the IPF. The implementation of this notice is effective as of January, 1st 2003. I trust this directive clears up any misunderstanding that has surrounded this issue

Below is an extract from a letter copied to the T.C. from one of the" IPF approved"manufacturers.

- - - - - - - The matter at hand is the licensing fees. We request a better understanding of the fees and the purpose of our payment to the IPF. It was our understanding and it was agreed at the beginning that this fee approval program was for the purpose that only approved and licensed apparel under this program would be used, without restriction, in ALL powerlifting competitions that are held by any and all IPF affiliated nations. This also appears to be the posted position statement of the IPF Technical Committee. This"approved gear" is posted by the IPF Technical Committee. With this policy and the agreement with - - - to participate in this program, it is our understanding that no IPF referee of any nation could approve or permit the use of unlicensed "supportive apparel" at ANY contest whether that contest be local, national, regional or worlds. Clarification and clearing up of this issue is of interest to our company. At this time - - - must wait for this clarification and clearing up of this issue before further payments of fees are made to the IPF. I believe that most or all the other gear companies will also want a clarification and clearing up of this issue before issuing payment. Clarification and clearing up of this matter would seem to be of equal interest to the IPF to have one set of rules governing the sport as opposed to rules that change from country to country, contest to contest or referee to referee. At the least, it is only fair to the participating gear companies who have continued to support the IPF's endeavour and who participate in this program by paying the yearly approval fees as originally set out by the IPF.

Yes, Your concerns are those of the Technical Committe also. This matter has been discussed extensively.

You are absolutely correct in the assumption that:

Only supportive apparel approved by the Technical Committee maybe used by Member Nations of the IPF at championships, from local through to world. In this respect not only should IPF referee's observe this rule, but, Divisional and National referee's also, for at events other than International, referees holding IPF cards may not be available.

You can be assured that, through newsletters and notes issued from time to time that this rule will be encouraged and enforced to the very best of our ability. It is in the interest of both parties.

In the latest of the T.C. Newsletters, we have stressed the value of our licensees and the support that is given throughout the "Powerlifting World" for which we on "their" behalf are extremely grateful.

Those lifters who are still in possession of the Marathon Supportive Lifting Costume will be relieved to know that it has had a "reprieve" and will be legal up until the end of 2003, thanks to the Nordic Countries - Norway, Sweden, Denmark. They have combined, to pay the licensing fee for this period, after which, Marathon will no doubt become extinct.

The Technical Committee are equally grateful that the situation has been resolved.

There has been some opposition to this gesture by some of the manufactureres of IPF approved equipment. At the first of the E.C. meetings, to be held in conjunction with the Women's Open World Championships in Chicago in May, the question of future occurrences (should an approved manufacturer cease trading) has been written into the agenda.

METAL Sport and Wear

We are pleased to welcome and announce that METAL Sport and Wear Finland (Proprietor Minna Turtiainen) has been added to the list of "IPF Approved" manufacturers of supportive lifting apparel. Their gear that met with the approval of the T.C. can be found on the IPF Web Site, and published within the pages of International Powerlifter Magazine".

To refuse costumes and shirts at gear check when excess material (that left when the item has been tightened) has been sewn to form a pleat either on the outside, or tucked inside, is grossly unfair, wrong morally, and by rule interpretation.

In a recent letter received from a National Coach of some repute, he says that he was asked to cut the excess from his lifter's suits and re-submit them.

The whole point is, costumes and shirts may be "let out" as Juniors and Lightweights increase in body weight. Referees are requested to follow the interpretation in this respect. All that is asked, is that the pleat or tuck (excess) is not sewn back onto the costume or shirt.

It has been heard said that the "bar must be lowered" to the chest" is a new rule and that referees are experiencing difficulty in judging.

Not so. The rule has always been that the bar must be lowered to the chest, except when in the days the lift began at the chest.

The rule which has been overlooked by referees in the past, has now been brought to their attention, and lifter's with extreme arches and who lower to the abdomen, which in many cases is higher than the chest, are receiving red lights.

Enforcing this rule may help to increase the ridiculous minute range of movement.

To envision whether the bar rests below the sternum/breast bone (the point declared as the lowest region of the chest) should not be too hard to implement. A chalk mark should not be necessary, but, has been seen.