Royal World Weightlifting Championships 2007
September 16-26, 2007

As a basic athletic activity and a natural means to measure strength and power, the lifting of weights was present in both the ancient Egyptian and Greek societies. Boosting its international importance chiefly in the 19th Century, weightlifting was among those few sports (alongside athletics, swimming, gymnastics, fencing, wrestling, shooting and cycling) featured on the program of the first Modern Olympic Games, in 1896, Athens. The first World Championships in this sport, however, was staged five years earlier on 28th March 1891, in London, with seven athletes representing six countries.

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) today comprises 167 affiliated nations. Approximately ten thousand weightlifters participate annually in official competitions. Weight training, however, is an indispensable tool for strength development for all sports and billions of people all over the world daily workout with the barbell for the sake of fitness. Entry figures of World Championships have increased year by year. The participation record registered at the 1999 World Championships in Athens, Greece, was altogether 660 athletes of 88 countries taking part.

Including the Olympic Games 2000 in Sydney, the men competed in 21 Olympic Games, and 70 World Championships; the junior men competed in 27 Junior World Championships. The women had their first Olympic appearance in Sydney 2000 and took part in 13 senior and 7 Junior World Championships.

The President announces, "It is such a great pleasure for all Thai people to host the Royal World Weightlifting Championships 2007 in Chiang Mai, Kingdom of Thailand. It will be a significant competition for the world's weightlifters to participate in this main qualification round preparing for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. This event will be a great occasion to participate in a commemorative celebration for Thailand's beloved Great King Bhumibol's 80th birthday anniversary. Participants will be here to to experience the pride of the Thai people. On behalf of the 2007 World Weightlifting Championships Organizing Committee, I would like to welcome all of you to be our guest in this event at Chiang Mai, Kingdom of Thailand in September 2007. Further detailed information, please kindly take a look in this web site."

The 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Sports Complex venue is located at the base of Doi Pui, on the west side of the irrigation canal road, 4.2 kilometers north of Huay Kaew Road, and just east of City Hall. This is a multiple stadium sports event complex, and the community sports and exercise facility, operated by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT). It's a modern sports complex, built for the 1995 SEA Games and named to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the founding of Chiang Mai.

Opening ceremony at 6 pm on September 16th to be broadcasted. Closing ceremony at 7.15 pm on September 26. Tel : 6653-112-754. For complete schedule visit: http://www.royalwwc2007.com