Section 4: Players & Officials
Lifters
Each competitor is allowed three attempts on each lift (Section 1(e)). Weigh-in (Section 5) takes place no earlier than two hours before the start of the competition for that category. The weigh-in period lasts one and a half hours, and each lifter may only be weighed once, with exceptions for lifters who must return to the scales to make weight. Lifters must identify themselves with an ID/Passport. 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. The Jury ensures the technical rules are correctly applied. 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 (Section 8.1(9)). Under Section 6.3(16), the Jury may use instant replay at IPF-sanctioned competitions where the technical equipment and personnel are available, and its decision after review is final and binding.
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.
- Technical Secretary: prepares the score sheets, order of weigh-in and speaker cards.
- Time Keeper: records the time between the announcement that the bar is ready and the lifter starting the attempt.
- Marshals/Expeditors: collect the weights for the next attempts and pass them to the Speaker.
- Scorers record the progress of the competition.
- 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.
- Technical Controller: a qualified international referee who confirms that the lifter is properly attired before mounting the platform.