With its origin coming from ancient times where people compared their strength by lifting heavy rocks in competition with others. It has been a long part of Olympic history, having been included in the Olympics since 1896.
There are two distinct techniques in weightlifting, the snatch and the clean and jerk. In the snatch, the lifter picks the bar up and holds it over their head in one continuous movement. In the clean and jerk, the bar is lifted to just below the chin before being lifted over the head.
Lifters are allowed three attempts at both the snatch and the clean and jerk, and their best lift in each is combined to reach their total score.
Weightlifting events will run from July 24 to Aug. 4.
Venue and access information
Weightlifting will take place at the Tokyo International Forum, an exhibition and conference space in central Tokyo. During the games, it will have a capacity of 5,000 people. The venue is one minute from Yurakucho Station and five minutes from Tokyo and Nijubashimae stations.
