The British Weight Lifting (BWL) Board notes with concern the recent media report published on 2 October 2025 regarding alleged governance issues within the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).

This is not the first time our sport has faced such a challenge. In 2020–2021, BWL, together with other like-minded Member Federations, publicly called for meaningful governance reform within the IWF – standing firmly for strengthened transparency, accountability, and integrity at a time when the sport’s global reputation and Olympic status were under serious threat.

Since then, the IWF introduced a number of governance reforms, which contributed to the sport’s confirmation at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and its reinstatement for Los Angeles 2028.

Today, however, the sport once again faces questions about governance standards.

BWL remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of our sport, protecting the voice of athletes, and ensuring that equality, transparency, and good governance remain at the heart of the IWF’s future.