IWF EB Approves Draft Constitution Ahead of Key Congress

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) today circulated a revised version of its proposed Constitution with a view to securing approval for it at the forthcoming resumption of the IWF’s Constitution Reform Congress on 29 August in Doha. The draft Constitution was approved by the Reform and Governance Commission on 13 August and by the IWF Executive Board on 15 August. 

“After the IWF’s Member Federations approved the Constitution in principle during the first part of our Constitution Reform Congress, the IWF is grateful to the independent experts and others in the Reform and Governance Commission, under the leadership of Darren Kane, for taking the time to make the revisions necessary to ensure the Constitution can achieve the required two thirds majority when we reconvene,” said IWF Interim President Dr Michael Irani. “This version also reflects lengthy discussions on our future governance before and even during the weightlifting competitions of Tokyo 2020 aimed at achieving consensus.” 

Revisions to the draft Constitution, which can be found here, include increased women’s representation on the future IWF Executive Board and increased representation for athletes. Considering the importance of athlete representation, there will also be a voting presence for athletes within the Congress. 

“Taken together, the provisions of this new Constitution represent a very significant improvement in the IWF’s governance, an improvement that would see the IWF ranked more favourably in the ASOIF governance survey alongside our Olympic counterparts,” continued Dr Irani. “The IWF urges its member federations to examine the document carefully and to come to Doha fully prepared to make the changes required to ensure weightlifting’s Olympic future.”

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