Moscow, 26 October. The executive board of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) chose Moscow as host of the 2030 World Championships, the first world championship in an Olympic sport awarded to Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022, the federation said.
At the same time, the 2029 championships went to Ahmedabad, India.
"All the bids we received were excellent and we are sure that the Championships in your respective countries will be a huge success," said IWF General Secretary Jose Quinones. The decision followed another: the federation had fully restored the right of Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags and anthems. The championships will be held in Moscow for the first time since 1983, 47 years later.
The Kremlin welcomed the decision: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called it important and said Russia should return to the world sporting family. Russia's return to international sport comes against the backdrop of one of the biggest doping scandals in Olympic sport.
What it means: Weightlifting's federation is the first Olympic federation since 2022 to entrust Russia with a world championship, having first restored Russian athletes' flag and anthem.
Who benefits: Russia gains a symbolic return to world sport; the IWF gets a host that is strong in the sport.
Background: Moscow last hosted the World Weightlifting Championships in 1983 at the Izmailovo Sports Palace, where 187 athletes from 32 nations competed.
