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BWL Unveils Manifestos for 2025 IWF Election

British Weight Lifting (BWL) has launched its candidate manifestos ahead of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) election set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 24–25 May 2025

The manifestos outline a clear and progressive vision for the global governance of weightlifting, with a strong focus on integrity, transparency, and continued athlete-centred advocacy.

With the support of UK Sport, and the British Olympic Association, Matthew Curtain, BWL’s candidate for IWF General Secretary, is spearheading the campaign for further British representation at international level.

His vision is to build upon the great work of the IWF team since 2022 and in doing so, provide and promote further opportunities for our clean lifters. With the ongoing support of Member Federations, the IWF can continue to advance projects such as other new commercial partnerships, more new events, and formats, as well as establishing an IWF Foundation to supplement and support the existing development programme.

As BWL CEO, we have established a growing suite of partnerships with like-minded organisations across the United Kingdom, including SBD since 2019. BWL is therefore very proud of the recently announced landmark 8-year agreement between SBD and the IWF.

Dr Heather Allison has served as an IWF Technical Committee Member since 2022 and previously an IWF Women’s Commission Member. Amongst her key priorities for IWF Technical Committee election, Dr Allison plans to ensure the IWF regularly reviews the TCRR to ensure alignment with IWF Governance and to collaborate with IWF members to ensure our sport is safe and remains an inspiring environment for young athletes.

As a first-time candidate but with over 40 years of experience and knowledge to offer the IWF Coaching and Research Committee, National Coach Dave Sawyer is ready and dedicated to exploring the latest scientific findings and training methodologies into practical coaching programmes for the benefit of clean athletes. He will represent the voices of coaches and athletes at all levels, advocating for better resources, education, and policies that support their growth and success.

Weightlifting Wales Chair, and Birmingham 2022 Competition Manager Jo Calvino is standing for the IWF Development and Education Commission. Also, as a first-time candidate and with over thirty years of experience across all levels of the sport her vision is rooted in further empowering clean athletes, coaches, and Federations through inclusive education, innovative development programmes, and sustainable pathways for progress.

To read the full manifestos, please see below: