There are many rules to follow in Olympic Weightlifting, but most of the are not important to you, the viewer at home. I've listed below the main rules that you will find helpful to know when watching the Olympics. For the athlete interested in competitive weightlifting, I've included useful links where more specific information can be found. However, just as I recommend for competitive bodybuilding, the hiring of a coach for being successful at competition is invaluable; even more in this sport where expert execution of the lift is a must.
Athletes in the sport are divided in several weight classes and placing is based on the total weight lifted on the two main lifts.
At the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, men competed in eight bodyweight categories: up to 56kg, 62kg, 69kg, 77kg, 85kg, 94kg, 105kg and +105kg. Women participated in seven categories: up to 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 69kg, 75kg, and +75kg. The programme of events for the 2008 Beijing Games is the same.
Only two weightlifters per country are allowed to compete in each weight class.
If the number of entries for a weight class is too big (over 15 entries, for instance) then it can be split into a couple of groups; Groups A and B with Group A being the strongest performers (where performance is based on what they estimate they'll be capable of lifting). Once final results are collected for all groups, then the results are all combined for the weight class and ranked. The highest score wins gold, the one that follows bronze, and the third highest takes bronze.
Weightlifting Equipment Rules
Men and women are to use different barbells. Men use barbells weighing 20kg and 15kg respectively.
Each bar must be equipped with two collars weighing 2.5Kg each.
Discs are to be color coordinated according to the following: 25Kg-red, 20Kg-blue, 15Kg-yellow 0.50Kg, 10Kg-green, 5Kg-white, 2.5Kg-black, 0.50Kg-chrome, and 0.25Kg-chrome.
The barbell is loaded in progression of lowest weight to heaviest weight. The barbell is never to be reduced to a lighter weight once an athlete has has performed a lift with the weight announced.
The minimum progression weight after a good lift is 2.5kg.
The time limit for an athlete to begin an attempt after being called to the platform is one minute. At 30 seconds remaining there is a warning signal. The exception to this rule is when a competitor takes two attempts one after the other, in which case the athlete may rest up to 2 minutes. In such case, the athlete also gets a warning after 90 seconds have elapsed without a lift.
How The Sport Is Judged
Each athlete is allowed three attempts at each chosen weight for each lift.
Three referees judge the lift.
If the lift is successful, the referee immediately hits a white button and a white light is turned on, indicating the lift as successful. In this case then the score is recorded.
If a lift is unsuccessful or deemed invalid, then the referee hits the red button and a red light goes off. The highest score for each lift is the one that gets used as the official value for the lift.
Once the highest value has been collected for each lift, the total weight lifted in the snatch is added to the total weight lifted in the clean and jerk. The lifter with the highest combined weight lifted becomes the champion. In the case of a tie, then the lifter whose body weight is less becomes the champion