Russia to Host 2030 World Weightlifting Championships
The International Weightlifting Federation's decision marks the first time an Olympic federation has selected Russia to host a global event since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Moscow has been selected to host the 2030 World Weightlifting Championships, marking a significant return of major international sporting events to Russia. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced its decision on Sunday, several months after allowing Russian athletes to compete in its events again.
This decision by the IWF follows a broader trend of international sporting bodies reconsidering their stance on Russian participation. In July, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, which had been imposed after the country's invasion of Ukraine. This move potentially clears the way for Russian athletes to compete in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
No world championships in Olympic sports have been held in Russia since the conflict began. For example, the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, initially slated for Kazan, Russia, were relocated to Singapore.
The Russian Weightlifting Federation expressed its satisfaction, with president Aleksandr Vinokurov stating, "We are the first Olympic sports federation to succeed in bringing a top-level official competition back to the country in many years." He thanked the IWF for its trust and highlighted Russia's experience and infrastructure for hosting high-level events. The 2030 championships will also serve as a qualifier for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, Australia.
The IOC has stated that it will continue to refrain from organizing its own events in Russia and from inviting Russian government officials to its events. Some Russian athletes have already competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics and the recent Winter Olympics as neutrals. Ukraine has formally appealed the IOC's decision to lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The IWF also announced host cities for other upcoming world championships, with Ahmedabad, India, set to host the 2029 senior event. Moscow last hosted the World Weightlifting Championships in 1983.