Weightlifting is a sport where the contestants lift weighty objects. The goal is to lift more weight than the competitors do. Weightlifting has always been a regular event in summer Olympic Games. At London 2012 Olympics Games, the weightlifting competition will be held at ExCeL from 28 July - 7 August 2012. ExCeL is an existing conference centre in London's Docklands, which is located close to London City Airport in east London's Royal Victoria Dock. ExCeL has five arenas. The number of weightlifting events to be held is 15. The number of athletes participating in the Olympics weightlifting competition is 260 consisting of 156 men and 104 women. Over 1630 discs will be used for the London Olympics weightlifting competition.
Weightlifting Events In London Olympics 2012
Weightlifting competitions at the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games will be stunning event to watch for viewers as athletes contest against one another by lifting loads of weight.
Schedule Of Weightlifting Events
| Date | Time | Men/Women | Session |
| Saturday July 28 | 15:30 - 17:30 | Women | 48kg group A, victory ceremony |
| Sunday July 29 | 10:00 - 14:00 | Men | 56kg group B |
| Women | 53kg group B | ||
| 15:30 - 17:30 | Women | 53kg group A, victory ceremony | |
| 19:00 - 21:00 | Men | 56kg group A, victory ceremony | |
| Monday July 30 | 10:00 - 14:00 | Men | 62kg group B |
| Women | 58kg group B | ||
| 15:30 - 17:30 | Women | 58kg group A, victory ceremony | |
| 19:00 - 21:00 | Men | 62kg group A, victory ceremony | |
| Tuesday July 31 | 10:00 - 14:00 | Men | 69kg group B |
| Women | 63kg group B | ||
| 15:30 - 17:30 | Women | 63kg group A, victory ceremony | |
| 19:00 - 21:00 | Men | 69kg group A, victory ceremony | |
| Wednesday August 1 | 10:00 - 14:00 | Men | 77kg group B |
| Women | 69kg group B | ||
| 15:30 - 17:30 | Women | 69kg group A, victory ceremony | |
| 19:00 - 21:00 | Men | 77kg group A, victory ceremony | |
| Friday August 3 | 10:00 - 14:00 | Men | 85kg group B |
| Women | 75kg group B | ||
| 15:30 - 17:30 | Women | 75kg group A, victory ceremony | |
| 19:00 - 21:00 | Men | 85kg group A, victory ceremony | |
| Saturday August 4 | 15:30 - 17:30 | Men | 94kg group B |
| 19:00 - 21:00 | Men | 94kg group A, victory ceremony | |
| Sunday August 5 | 15:30 - 17:30 | Women | above 75kg group A, victory ceremony |
| Monday August 6 | 15:30 - 17:30 | Men | 105kg group B |
| 19:00 - 21:00 | Men | 105kg group A, victory ceremony | |
| Tuesday August 7 | 15:30 - 17:30 | Men | above 105kg group B |
| 19:00 - 21:00 | Men | above 105kg group A, victory ceremony |
Olympic Weightlifting Rules
The weightlifting contestants are categorized into 15 weight categories. There are seven for women and eight for men. The strongest contenders can lift more than three times of their body weight. Each competition features two types of weight lift. In the snatch, the athletes lift the bar from the floor and above their head in one movement. The clean and jerk is a two-stage action. In this, the bar is first brought up to the shoulders before being jerked over the head. Each contestant will be given three attempts for snatch and three attempts for clean and jerk. The best lift in each discipline will count to make a total score. In the event of tie amongst contestants, the athlete with the lower bodyweight will be adjudged the winner of the event.
Weightlifting Qualification
Each competing nation can put forward a maximum of 10 contestants that is 6 men and 4 women. The qualification for 2012 Olympics weightlifting competition will be determined by scores obtained at 2010 and 2011 World Weightlifting Championships. The host country England will be given two women's quota places and three men's quota places for the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games.
Some Interesting Facts
The weightlifting contestants are categorized into 15 weight categories. There are seven for women and eight for men. The strongest contenders can lift more than three times of their body weight. Each competition features two types of weight lift. In the snatch, the athletes lift the bar from the floor and above their head in one movement. The clean and jerk is a two-stage action. In this, the bar is first brought up to the shoulders before being jerked over the head. Each contestant will be given three attempts for snatch and three attempts for clean and jerk. The best lift in each discipline will count to make a total score. In the event of tie amongst contestants, the athlete with the lower bodyweight will be adjudged the winner of the event.
Weightlifting Qualification
Each competing nation can put forward a maximum of 10 contestants that is 6 men and 4 women. The qualification for 2012 Olympics weightlifting competition will be determined by scores obtained at 2010 and 2011 World Weightlifting Championships. The host country England will be given two women's quota places and three men's quota places for the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games.
Some Interesting Facts
- Over 1630 discs will be used for the London Olympics weightlifting competition. The weight of the discs will vary from 5kg to 25kg.
- Hossein Rezazadeh of the Islamic Republic of Iran set record of being the heaviest individual weight lifter in Olympics games.
- Hossein Rezazadeh set the record by lifting 263.5kg clean and jerk at the 2004 Athens Olympics Games. The weight is roughly equivalent to five flyweight boxers.
- The bodyweights of contestants are used to determine a winner when there is a tie. A weightlifter with less weight wins.
- Weightlifting contestants apply chalk on their hands to help them grip the bar.
Weightlifting events at the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games will see many muscular athletes queuing up to display remarkable feat of their muscles and physical strength by lifting maximum quantity of weight to defeat the rivals.