Technical Committee Report to Congress 2004

 
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
 
MEMBERS:
 
    Bill Jamison         Canada                -      billjamison@sympatico.ca
    Henk Keizer         Netherlands         -       hkeizer@planet.nl
    Robert Keller        USA                    -       rhk@verizon.net
    Arnulf Wahlstrom  Norway                -       arnulfw@halden.net
    Johnny Wiklund    Sweden                -       johnnywiklund@telia.com
    Susumu Yoshida   Japan                  -       phouse@tky.3web.ne.jp
 
REPORT TO CONGRESS 2004
 
Perhaps the most important part of this past years activities has been processing proposals to Rules Congress, forwarded by Member Nations.
As only seven of our numbered affiliates have proposed some form of change, it would appear  that the vast majority are happy with the present IPF Technical Rules.
 
We have kept good relations with our IPF approved suppliers.  Many items of supportive apparel having been approved, mostly, in the form of Bench Shirts.  The PALLINI equipment ( Bar, discs, racks, bench ) approved in February and used at the Women's World Open in June was much appreciated by the lifters.
 
Several International Referee Examinations have been conducted by members of the T.C.  New members - Robert Keller and Johnny Wiklund being most prolific in this respect.
 
 Referee Registrar Goran Gunnarsson  has been extremely busy, this being re-registration year.  We thank Goran for the efficient administration.
Goran has forwarded the following up-to-date information.
 
    New Category 1 Referees as from November 2003 - July 2004
 
    Japan          1
    Poland         1
    Kazahkstan  1    --       6
    France         1
    Finland         1
    G.B.             1
 
    New Category 2 Referees as from November 2003 - July 2004
 
    Iran                1
    Finland           3
    Norway           1
    Spain              3
    Hong Kong      1                          
    Guatemala       1     - 16
    France             2
    Austria            1
    G.B.                2
    Slovakia           1
 
Current number of International Referees  -  Cat 1      142
                                                               Cat 2       251
 
A huge amount of e:mails  that have been received questioning the rules and asking for interpretation etc. have been answered punctually, and hopefully to each ones satisfaction.
 
We have continued to produce a newsletter keeping pace with up- to- date information.  Our thanks to Wim Wamsteeker Web Site, and Dennis Unitt International Powerlifting Magazine for publication.
 
A majority of the Committee ( quorum ) met in June.  Under discussion were proposals. ( Those which we considered acceptable have been forwarded to Rules Congress 2004).   Supportive Shirt and its refinements.  Referee qualifications.
 
For the forthcoming year our aim as always is to keep the pro-active approach, take the initiative, listen to, and act on any idea put forward by a member nation if it is felt it could enhance our sport.
 
                                        Sincerely,
 
John Stephenson
T.C. Chairman
 
e:mail address - stephensonjsy@supanet.com