T.C. Newsletter (NO3 2006)

The meeting held between both committees on the 24th May discussing proposals in regard to Technical Rules in this the year of change, was rewarding, in that most present were in agreement with the Technical Committee's proposals. These will be presented as a package to Congress in November.

Having officiated at both the Master's and Open Single Lift championships this year, I offer the following comments:

It would appear that there are several lifters, predominately in the heavier weight categories who are content with, accept, even expecting their lifts to be failed. It is bewildering. Travelling half way around the world to return home with " NIL POINTS " Expensive holidays!

Much has been written in this column about reason, mainly, shirts too tight, embarrassed to start with a lower poundage, resulting in the weight not reaching the chest, or, half movements.

The safety stands ( designed by E.R. ) and used at both championships were a god-send, and saved several lifters from severe injury, or even worse. They will become compulsory at all International Championships. Three lift included.

The bench positioned at an angle of 45 degrees at the Open Meet was more pleasing for spectators and jury. Just one complaint from a lifter that the diagonal position of the ceiling was somewhat disorientating.

Experimentally the Chief Referee was positioned at the back of the platform for one particular group, but this proved to be unsatisfactory - unseen bar position i.e. not descending to the chest or touching the abdominal area.

Proposal to bring this lift back to credibility which it once was, has been discussed, debated and received positively. It is hoped that the lifting public will endorse these proposals when announcement is made.

The time consuming paperwork attached to the equipment control will become a thing of the past. At both single lift meets, the first by "accident", because the appropriate check sheets were not available, the itemised list was forsaken.

Everything worn by the lifter will still need to be stamped/marked, and signed for. A check will be made following successful record attempts. This has speeded up the procedure considerably!

An official, preferably a referee, will be positioned at the approach to the platform to see that the oncoming lifter is the correctly named, and properly attired. Often used over the years unofficially, this will now become an official position to be entered into the Technical Rules.

There are several referees who fail to nominate the class/es in which they are available to officiate when the application is sent to the IPF Championships Secretary. This is most important. The schedule cannot be prepared properly without this information. Should one not specify, then he/she will be entered in any vacant space.

It has been alleged that some choose classes to "protect" home lifters. This will be carefully monitored, and action taken if found to be so.

Incidentally, a referee nominated for the recent Open Bench Press Championships, arrived by plane and found no one waiting to transfer him to the Meet Hotel. He decided to catch the next flight back home. Guess it was cheaper than the taxi fare would have been. The hotel was 180klms from the Airport.