EWF Symposium

Verona, 27 March 2010

The International technical-scientific Olympic weightlifting came to close in Verona on Saturday March 27th and the unanimous conclusion of all participants was that it was a rousing success. Eighty delegates representing thirty six nations transformed Verona into the International capital of Weightlifting.

The aim of the convention was to set down guidelines for weightlifting to follow in the face of future challenges. Mastermind and driving force behind the event was the President of the Italian Federation and of the European Federation, Antonio Urso, constantly in the front line, stressing the importance of the tools and knowledge of technical-scientific research in the quest for a means to respond to these challenges.
The discussions covered various topics, developed on two binary parallels: the fight against doping, with the European Federation as main protagonists in the biological passport project, and the development of scientific weightlifting training, the reason behind the foundation of the European School of Weightlifting, aimed at coordinating and gathering experiences in the various continental contexts.  

The wealth of topics dealt with both on a technical and scientific level, along with the in-depth approach ensured that this Symposium was recognized on an international level.  Confirming the importance of the event was the presence of the IWF General Secretary, Ma Wenguang, William Felix Ozuna, President of the Pan-American Federation and Sheik Mohamed Al.Mana, President of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation.

Various local officials were also present: Giovanni Ottoni, President of the Treviso Province Italian Olympic Committee and member of the National Olympic Board, Stefano Braggio, President of the Verona Province Italian Olympic Committee  and Vice-President of the Veneto Region Italian Olympic Committee, Federico Sboarina, Sports Councilor of Verona, Carlo Morandi, Dean of the Faculty of Motor and Sport Science of Verona University, Tiziano Cordioli, physical education schools coordinator for the province of Verona, Umberto Milani, President of the Veneto FIPCF and Raul Adami, FIPCF delegate in Verona.

The local institutions were of enormous assistance: Veneto Region, Verona Province and City Council, Regional and Provincial Olympic committees who actively contributed to the successful outcome. Particular thanks to the Banca Popolare di Verona and to GlaxoSmithKline, sponsor of the event.

The local organising committee was of excellent standard with the decisive contribution of the Bentegodi foundation and the officials of the FIPCF Federal Secretariat; Federal Vice President Prof. Claudio Toninel took on the double role of moderator and coordinator of the local organisation, guaranteeing a successful event.