IWF - Weightlifting a success
The IWF have declared their delight at this summer's Olympic Games and hailed LOCOG's work.
Last Updated: 08/08/12 3:37pm
The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) have declared their delight at this summer's Olympic Games and hailed the work done by London 2012 organisers (LOCOG).
Weightlifting at ExCeL drew to a close last night, with men's super heavyweight Behdad Salimi, from Iran, claiming the final gold medal of 15 awarded over the past 11 days.
A total of 44 Olympic and world records were broken during an exhilarating competition, with around 6,000 partisan supporters packing South Arena 3 for each of the 23 sessions, regularly three per day.
And the positive reception given to weightlifting by the home crowd, as well as the smooth management and execution of the events, has left an impression on the sport's controlling body.
Satisfied
An IWF statement: "We are entirely happy and satisfied with these Olympic Games at all levels and in all respects.
"The organisation overall, in particular within ExCeL and weightlifting, was really impeccable. The technical facilities, everything was to perfection.
"Last but not least, maybe not what everybody expected, was the British audience were just incredible. So we're very happy and very proud. Weightlifting has won over Britain and recaptured British people's hearts after a very, very long time.
"We are very grateful to the audience. How they supported the lifters and understood immediately the sense of the sport and this competition.
"We never had a problem with empty seats, all our sessions were full with great audiences. We would like to thank London, thank [Games organisers] LOCOG, thank everybody."
