Moscow to host 2030 Weightlifting World Championships
The International Weightlifting Federation named Moscow as the 2030 host, prompting criticism from Poland while restrictions on Russian athletes have been eased.
Russia has been awarded the right to host the 2030 Weightlifting World Championships, a decision officially confirmed by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) that has sparked sharp criticism in parts of Europe.
This will be the first time since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 that the country will host a world championship in an Olympic sport, after Moscow was selected as the 2030 venue.
Poland's sports minister, Jakub Rutnicki, condemned the IWF's decision, arguing that as long as the war in Ukraine continues, Russia should not be granted the right to stage major international events.
The move follows a gradual easing of restrictions on Russian athletes by the federation: younger categories were first permitted to compete, and later senior lifters were allowed to participate under the Russian flag.
Other hosts through 2029
Alongside Moscow, the IWF assigned additional championships for the 2028–2030 period: Pristina will host the Cadet World Championship in 2028, Caracas will stage the Junior World Championship the same year, and Ahmedabad will organize the Senior World Championship in 2029.
The IWF decision underscores a broader debate within European sports bodies over the return of Russian organisers to the international calendar, and could prompt further responses from national governments and continental federations.
Photo: press material from the event
