Oly Weight Classes -Weightlifting Is Worse (5)

I remember watching the Olympic weightlifting when I was a kid.....only time I would follow that sport but it was part of the tradition. Sadly the traditional, and real Olympic sports get shafted. Only thing I can think of is TV viewership is driving this, and that should not determine weight classes IMO.

Meanwhile, we get all of these odd "sports' added. Not to mention swimming has all these weird combination of events with different strokes and lengths.

It's one reason why I've stopped watching the Olympics thirty years ago.

Yes… the sport of WL has taken at least as much of a hit as wrestling in the Olympics… AND ESPECIALLY its TV coverage in the USA.

I remember in my youth, in the 60s/70s, both were featured prominently in prime time coverage…. but in recent memory, the only opportunity to watch would be side channels in the middle of the night.

At least the USA is competitive in Freestyle wrestling (GR not so much).

Weightlifting in the USA has in recent decades been about as competitive as Greco Roman wrestling…

Back in the 40s/50s, the USA was on top, winning many medals… and many of the national team trained at York Barbell Club…quite analogous to the NLWC!

BriantheLion said:

Weightlifting in the USA has in recent decades been about as competitive as Greco Roman wrestling…

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USA weightlifting is kind of on an upswing. There were no Americans who were even competitive on the world stage for a while, but there are some younger athletes making waves now: Olivia Reeves, Hampton Morris, Mattie Rogers, etc. I think the popularity of Crossfit (for a while, it's all but dead now) introduced some to weightlifting pretty early. But, it's still totally dominated by China and former Soviet nations.

HOA242n! said:

USA weightlifting is kind of on an upswing. There were no Americans who were even competitive on the world stage for a while, but there are some younger athletes making waves now: Olivia Reeves, Hampton Morris, Mattie Rogers, etc. I think the popularity of Crossfit (for a while, it's all but dead now) introduced some to weightlifting pretty early. But, it's still totally dominated by China and former Soviet nations.

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I have followed Olivia Reeves' career. She is a special, young talent. Like so many of our great wrestlers, she is also between weights. I am assuming she will cut down to 69kg rather than go 77kg. She won her 2024 Olympic gold at 71kg. She has mentioned previously that her ideal competition weight would be in the 72-73kg range. That 17.2 lb. jump between weights for the 2028 Olympics is huge, especially for a female. Check out her 500 lb. squat below along with squatting 408 lb. for five reps!

The world and decision makers know the USA is taking over.

Sunshine88! said:

The world and decision makers know the USA is taking over.

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Maybe they can put in a few electric bike races, instead of the ones I watch on my street.

creamery freak said:

Maybe they can put in a few electric bike races, instead of the ones I watch on my street.

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Yeah we brace for hearing one the kids in our neighborhood get run over by a car at our intersection every time they zoom by.

BriantheLion said:

Yeah we brace for hearing one the kids in our neighborhood get run over by a car at our intersection every time they zoom by.

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I've almost been hit countless times walking my son in his stroller on the sidewalk. I love e-bikes (wife and I have a pair), but teenagers on Surron's (and other not street legal dirt bike-esque e-bikes), not following any road rules, are a growing problem. We have a cop parked almost permanently at the park up the street, giving citations to kids going off jumps at the park. He stays very busy.