Weightlifting

Weight-lifting contests have been common since ancient times (and were apparently included in the ancient Greek Olympics), and were a part of the original Olympic games in 1896. Women's weight-lifting began in the 1980s and was added to the Olympic program in 2000.
Competitors compete in one of eight (seven for women) divisions determined by their body mass. The men's classes are 56 kg, 62 kg, 69 kg, 77 kg, 85 kg, 94 kg, 105 kg and over 105 kg. The women's classes are 48 kg, 53 kg, 58 kg, 63 kg, 69 kg, 75 kg, and over 75 kg. In each weight division, competitors compete in both the snatch, and clean and jerk, and prizes are usually given for heaviest weight lifted in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total heaviest weights.

There are two different weightlifting events - the "snatch", in which competitors must lift the barbell above their head in one steady movement, and the "clean and jerk" where competitors first "clean" the barbell from the floor to an intermediate position squatting with the barbell resting on their chests, then stand straight while continuing to rest the barbell, then "jerking" the barbell to a position above their head. In both cases, for a successful lift, competitors must hold the bar steady above their heads, with arms and legs straight and motionless.

At the Olympic Games competitions are held in the following disciplines:

. + 105kg, total Men

. + 75kg, total Women

. - 48kg, total Women

. - 56kg, total Men

. 48 - 53kg, total Women

. 53 - 58kg, total Women

. 56 - 62kg, total Men

. 58 - 63kg, total Women

. 62 - 69kg, total Men

. 63 - 69kg, total Women

. 69 - 75kg, total Women

. 69 - 77kg, total Men

. 77 - 85kg, total Men

. 85 - 94kg, total Men

. 94 - 105kg, total Men