T.C. Newsletter (NO5 2003)

Having been overwhelmed by the many requests that I received to stand again for the position of Chairman of the Technical Committee, I must thank the Congress for their faith in me to carry on for a further four years ( God willing ) . My apologies were made for any confusion caused having previously said that I would not stand.

With the approval of the Executive Committee I am pleased to welcome Johnny Wiklund (Sweden) and Robert Keller (USA) onto the Committee, replacing Klaus Brostrom (Denmark) and P J Couvillion (USA) who have both become indisposed during the past two years. My thanks to them for their contribution.

The proposal to extend the distance from buckle to end of tongue loop from 15 cm's to 25 cm's was passsed by Congress unanimously. Please adjust rule books accordingly !

At a " round table " meeting directly after Congress business was completed, the question of nominations arose i.e. the 21 day period prior to Championships date concerning no change in nominated lifters unless a penalty of 40 Euros per lifter was paid.

An amendment was passed to the effect that their will be no change possible to the selected eleven male and ten female, although, five alternates/reserves may now be nominated. These must be nominated at the Technical Meeting. This new ruling also applies to referee nomination. That is, no new nominations after the 21 day period. It is advisable to nominate more than the required number, but to understand that only three Category Two from one Country may be used for platform duty and as many Category One's as the Technical Committee feel necessary.

A full two hours of live T V ( Denmark ) was broadcast on both the Saturday ( top eleven 100 kilo ) and Sunday + 125 kg's. Five cameras covered all angles.

Euro Sport have condensed this into a one hour special that will be shown on the 9th January 2004 at 9. 30 p.m.

It has been established from immediate effect ( 4th November 2003 ) that disabled lifters may access the bench by way of a wheelchair. The rules of competition are not altered.

To be granted a fourth attempt in the squat with no intention of appearing maybe considered good coaching, allowing lifters more time to struggle into shirts for the bench press. The Jury consider this time wasting, time being a factor at many meets. Should this become a habit, the Jury may feel reluctant in granting a fourth.

BEWARE, Marathon Wraps are not legal. Unfortunately a lifter was disqualified for using them at the recent Men's Open. Apparently they had not been checked in. (This alone, would have disqualified the lift in which any legal item was discovered that had not passed scrutiny).

Incidentally, Marathon Suits will become illegal as from the 31st December 2003, unless of course someone pays the licensing fee.

Many lifters ( mainly supers ) do not receive the signal to begin the lift because the fingers are not gripping the bar. This was mentioned after the 2002 Men's Open. The same happened again at this years meet.

One coach complained to the Jury, saying that his lifter could not grip the bar because of some anatomical problem. This is unfortunate but in the interest of safety the rule cannot be overlooked.

The Medical Committee recommend that knee length socks be worn if lifters happen to drag the bar on the lower leg during the Deadlift.

If a proposal to be put forward to Rules Congress 2004 by the Technical Committee is passed, it will be compulsory for all lifters to wear knee length socks while deadlifting.

At present we now see a sterile spray being applied to the bar between every other lift, or plasters torn from shins and adhering to the bar. This surely is unacceptable.

Hiro Isagawa (Japan) is to be congratulated on passing his Category One Referee Examination at the " Men's Open " and for his Open World Record in the Bench Press at 56 kilos.

At a recent discussion within the Technical Committee, it was decided that - as pictures speak louder than words - a Technical Rules video should be produced. After Rules Congress 2004 we will go ahead with this in a professional manner, and then distribute World Wide.

I knew it had to come. A referee answering his mobile phone while on platform. Heaven forbid!! Mobiles must be switched off while on platform. This applies equally to the Jury.

In brief, the following proposals have been received, discussed by the Technical Committee and as under Constitution and By-Laws will be put forward to Rules Congress 2004.

We welcome any proposals from member nations National Secretaries for consideration that may be put forward to Rules Congress 2004.

Referee Registrar Goran Gunnarsson stresses the importance in returning the completed forms for the period 2004 - 2007 to him, and the fees paid to Treasurer Gaston Parage.

As this will be the last News Letter from the Technical Committee in 2003. On behalf of the Committee I wish one and all a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.