Section 4: Players & Officials
Lifters
Each competitor is allowed three attempts on each lift (Section 1(e)). Weigh-in takes place no earlier than two hours before the start of the competition for that category (Section 5(1)). The weigh-in period lasts one and a half hours (Section 5(3)), and each lifter may only be weighed once, with exceptions for lifters who must return to the scales to make weight (Section 5(6)). Lifters must identify themselves with an ID/Passport (Section 5(4)). A lifter may only weigh in at the category in which they were nominated 21 days before the meet date (Section 5(7)).
Referees (Section 7)
- There are three referees: the Chief (Center) Referee and two side referees (Section 7(1)).
- The Chief Referee gives the signals for all three lifts (Section 7(2)).
- Referees may sit in the positions they consider best for viewing, within 4 meters of the platform (Section 7(5)).
- Before and during the contest, the referees jointly verify equipment, scales, weigh-in limits, personal equipment, and that the loaded weight matches the weight announced (Section 7(6) and 7(7)).
- A referee may not attempt to influence the decisions of the other referees (Section 7(10)).
Jury (Section 8.1)
At World and Continental Championships, a Jury of three or five Category 1 referees presides over each session (Section 8.1(1), (2)). The Jury ensures the technical rules are correctly applied (Section 8.1(4)). If a serious mistake in refereeing occurs contrary to the technical rules, the Jury may take appropriate action to correct it and may grant the lifter a further attempt (Section 8.1(8)). A decision may be reversed only in extreme circumstances for an obvious or blatant mistake, by unanimous vote with a three-member Jury or majority vote with a five-member Jury, and only a 2 to 1 referees' decision can be considered (Section 8.1(9)).
The Jury may use instant replay at IPF Calendar events or other competitions where the technical equipment and personnel are available, and its decision after review is final and binding (Section 6.3(16)).
Other officials (Sections 6.1 and 6.2)
- Speaker/Announcer: announces the weight and the lifter for each attempt. The clock begins when the Speaker announces that the bar is ready and calls the lifter to the platform (Section 6.2(a)).
- Technical Secretary: prepares the score sheets, order of weigh-in and speaker cards (Section 6.2(b)).
- Time Keeper: records the time between the announcement that the bar is ready and the lifter starting the attempt (Section 6.2(d)).
- Marshals/Expeditors: collect the weights for the next attempts and pass them to the Speaker (Section 6.2(e)).
- Scorers record the progress of the competition (Section 6.2(f)).
- Spotter/Loaders: load and unload the bar and adjust racks and benches. There must be no fewer than two and no more than five on the platform at any time (Section 6.2(g)).
- Technical Controller: a qualified international referee who confirms that the lifter is the one announced and properly attired before mounting the platform (Section 6.2(h)).