Read on Twitter
I know #weightlifting is perhaps not the most popular sport, although I would defend the sport's appeal to any critic. Not just since we worked on 'The Lord of the Lifters' for ARD. Now the #IWF Executive Board is wrecking the sport. Long #Thread on latest outrageous events. /2
Most recently, the #IOC criticized IWF (for the fifth time) for weakening their anti-doping rules. Defiant answer in the letter of current president Irani below: Everything is fine ('no change to the Olympic Qualification System') /3
Blatantly false. See: Romania. A federation with with one of the string pullers (Nicu Vlad) from the old boys club at the helm. Yesterday two more athletes banned in the re-analyses from #London2012 - in total 4 dopers at the 2012 #Olympics. /4 https://www.iwf.net/2021/02/01/ita-behalf-iwf-concludes-adrv-process-romanian-weightlifters-romanian-weightlifting-federation-now-eligible-suspension/
Under old rules, #Romania would be automatically out of #TokyoGames: any nation with three or more positive results in #IOC re-tests banned for one year. Not under the new rules: Disqualification only with at least two athletes with a four(!)-year ban. Not the case with #ROU. /5
Of course, Vlad's Federation could still be banned because there are other dopers - and another new rule says nations can be banned if they have four or more ADRVS in a calendar year (previously 3). /6
Let’s see how this goes. The point being: There’s always a loophole! Created by the #IWF EB. FYI: Stop claiming that the rules have not been weakened. Observers are not as stupid as you think. And neither are your member federations. /7
That brings us to the elections, scheduled by the EB for end of March. For the old guard, these are more important than clean sport, that's for sure. Which is why the new constitution has been postponed until after the elections. The official reasoning: /8 https://www.iwf.net/2021/01/22/iwf-expands-scope-governance-reform-adjusts-dates-constitutional-congress/
Is there any truth in that? This must be strongly doubted. Even the commission working on the constitution advises against electing a president and EB on the basis of the old constitution. Basically, everyone in their right mind is against it. Latest example below. /9
Only the EB - some many years at their posts as Aján minions – has a few problems with the new constitution: probably term limits would be introduced and integrity checks. Officials whose federations are banned for doping would not be allowed to run. /10
The end for half a dozen from the old guard - for example Nicu Vlad, vice president. Or the notorious Thai Intarat Yodbangtoey, 1sr VP, who wrote a funny letter (see below). These people really know no scruples when it comes to retaining power! /11
Another drastic example: Attila Adamfi, Aján's son-in-law, former director general of the IWF, is now running for secretary general. Claims that accusations against him are groundless. /12 https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1103492/adamfi-targets-weightlifting-comeback
Pardon? All you have to do is read the McLaren Report carefully. To date, Adamfi has provided no explanation as to why he had the 2017 'elected' EB saved in his computer several weeks before the election. /13
And this man has the audacity to now tout the bought 2017 election as a model! Yesterday Adamfi demanded the announcement of the candidates for the upcomimg election. Below excerpt from his email: /14
Of course, Adamfi wants transparency 
Anyone who suspects that the guy actually wants to forge alliances is certainly not wrong. Lessons learned under Aján are lessons learned! /15
Anyone who suspects that the guy actually wants to forge alliances is certainly not wrong. Lessons learned under Aján are lessons learned! /15
For these scandalous elections, we can expect even more scandalous candidates. Also some reformers: Ursula Papandrea, of course. She is running for president. The new German federation president Florian Sperl. Most candidates are still keeping a low profile. /16
Exception: the Chinese Zhou. (Worth a thought: From the nation with the most world records, but hardly any doping cases.) Government bureaucrat. Promises money, if elected president. Reportedly doesn't speak English. Would provide a great (new) front for the old guard. /17
But: talk about candidates is idle. Since the new constitution was postponed until after the election, it is clear that this IWF election would be nothing but a nasty charade. The stab in the back for a sport that fears for its Olympic existence. /18
Still silent: the new Athletes' Commission. Word is of an emergency meeting this week. How will the athletes use their power? Against them, even the powerful old guard is powerless. There's to hope they know that ...
