Iran women weightlifters can compete internationally

LONDON: Women weightlifters from Iran will be allowed to compete internationally for the first time, the president of the country’s weightlifting federation said on Thursday.
In a sign of changing attitudes, Saudi Arabia also confirmed the setting up of a women’s programme, opening the way to the country also fielding a national women’s team six years after the sport’s governing body allowed the wearing of the hijab. Iran has one of the world’s strongest weightlifting cultures and its men have won seven Olympic gold medals.
Ali Moradi, president of the Iranian Weightlifting Federation, said, “We have established the Iran Weightlifting Federation Women’s Committee and we have talented female athletes.
“They have high capacity like men athletes, and I hope that, wearing special clothes for Muslim athletes, they will be able to take part in international championships in the near future.”
Attila Adamfi, director general of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), said: “This is good news, and it’s very significant in Iran, where weightlifting is at the highest level for men.”
Mohammed Alharbi, president of the Saudi Arabia Weightlifting Federation, also confirmed that a new women’s programme had been set up.Both Iran and Saudi Arabia field men’s teams at the IWF World Championships in Anaheim, California, starting next week.