How to watch Olympic weightlifting

From e-how: How to watch Olympic Weightlifting

1. Find an event to attend. Visit the U.S. Weight Lifting website and click on the calendar icon to see a list of events. "You're going to see a dynamic and explosive sport," says Wes Barnett, two-time Olympic weightlifter who is currently training in Colorado Springs for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

2. Understand the rules of Olympic-style weightlifting. "In competition, each lifter gets three lifts in the snatch, which is the first event, and then three lifts in the clean and jerk. The best lift in each is added up and that is how you get your total."

3. Listen to the announcer. "A good announcer will explain whether a lift is good, and also mention what is coming up next," Barnett says. "An announcer can make all the difference in your experience as a spectator."

4. Look for explosive lifts. "Olympic-style weightlifting is all about speed. Watch for the lifters to explode into the lifts as they set themselves. Watch for locked elbows at the finish of the lifts."

5. Keep an eye on the lights on the scoreboard. "As lifters put the weights down, look for the lights on the scoreboard. Three referees will press buttons: a white or green light if it is a good lift or a red light if the lift is not good. Two out of three rules, so if you see at least two white or green lights on the board, you know the lifter will get credit for the lift."

6. Watch the different weight classes. "There are eight different weight classes for male lifters and seven for women," says Barnett. "These are based on the size of the lifters."

7. Don't be afraid to cheer. "Olympic-style weightlifting is a lot of fun. The lifters really get excited when the crowd is into the event."


Tip:
Don't be confused between weightlifting and powerlifting competitions. Olympic-style weightlifting is a sport that is built around just two different lifts.