Introduction: Strength, Power, and Precision Return to the Olympic Stage
The Olympic Games are the pinnacle of global sports, and among the most dramatic displays of human strength is Olympic weightlifting. The Paris 2024 Olympics will once again bring together the world’s strongest athletes in an arena of raw power, technique, and mental grit. If you’re a fan of weightlifting or simply love Olympic-level intensity, you’ll want to follow every second of the action. This guide covers the Olympic weightlifting 2024 schedule, venue details, competition format, top contenders, and how to watch the event live.
Where Will Olympic Weightlifting Take Place in Paris 2024?
All weightlifting events in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be hosted at South Paris Arena 6, part of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles complex. This modern, high-capacity facility is known for hosting major international exhibitions and will transform into the ultimate arena for Olympic strength battles.
- Venue Name: South Paris Arena 6
- Location: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, France
- Capacity: Around 6,000 spectators
- Accessibility: Connected via Metro Line 12 and Tram lines T2 & T3a
- Events Hosted: All Olympic weightlifting categories from August 7–11
This central location ensures easy access for athletes and fans, making it one of the most accessible Olympic venues of the 2024 Games.
Olympic Weightlifting Schedule: Dates and Events
The Olympic weightlifting events in Paris 2024 will run for five consecutive days, from August 7 to August 11, 2024. Each day will feature two medal events—one for men and one for women—based on weight categories. There are 10 total events.
📆 Full Weightlifting Event Schedule (Paris Local Time – CEST)
| Date | Events | Medal Events |
|---|---|---|
| August 7 | Women’s 49 kg / Men’s 61 kg | 🥇 2 Medal Events |
| August 8 | Women’s 59 kg / Men’s 73 kg | 🥇 2 Medal Events |
| August 9 | Women’s 71 kg / Men’s 89 kg | 🥇 2 Medal Events |
| August 10 | Women’s 81 kg / Men’s 102 kg | 🥇 2 Medal Events |
| August 11 | Women’s 81+ kg / Men’s 102+ kg | 🥇 2 Medal Events |
You can follow live updates and detailed times on the official Olympics.com weightlifting schedule.
Weight Categories for Paris 2024
The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and IOC have revised the number of categories to ensure competitive balance and gender equality. The 2024 format features:
Women’s Categories:
- 49 kg
- 59 kg
- 71 kg
- 81 kg
- 81+ kg
Men’s Categories:
- 61 kg
- 73 kg
- 89 kg
- 102 kg
- 102+ kg
Each weight category will feature one final event, with athletes competing in two classic Olympic lifts: the snatch and the clean and jerk.
Olympic Weightlifting Competition Format
Olympic weightlifting consists of two lifts:
- Snatch – a single-motion lift from ground to overhead
- Clean and Jerk – a two-part lift involving the “clean” to shoulders and the “jerk” to overhead
Each lifter gets three attempts in each lift. The best successful lift in each movement is added for a combined total. The athlete with the highest total wins. In case of a tie, the athlete with the lower body weight ranks higher. If the tie still stands, the lifter who achieved the total in fewer attempts gets the advantage.
Scoring is straightforward but demands extreme precision, mental control, and split-second execution.
Athletes to Watch in Paris 2024 Weightlifting
Some of the biggest names in international weightlifting are expected to headline the 2024 competition. Here are a few athletes who could make history:
- Lasha Talakhadze (Georgia): Reigning world champion and Olympic gold medalist, famous for lifting over 490kg total
- Kuo Hsing-Chun (Chinese Taipei): One of the most dominant women in the 59kg category
- Li Fabin (China): Known for his dramatic one-leg lift in Tokyo 2020
- Mattie Rogers (USA): Strong contender in the 71kg class
- Akbar Djuraev (Uzbekistan): Tokyo gold medalist in 109kg, expected to lift in the 102kg class at Paris
Follow updated athlete rosters and qualifiers on the IWF official site.
How to Watch Olympic Weightlifting Live
The Olympic weightlifting events will be broadcast live across several global platforms. You can also stream via official apps and sports networks:
- 🔗 Olympics.com live stream
- 🔗 NBC Sports and Peacock (USA)
- Eurosport and Discovery+ (Europe)
- BBC iPlayer (UK)
- YouTube Olympic Channel Highlights
For full daily event streams and replays, the Olympics.com app is your best one-stop destination.
Olympic Weightlifting Qualification for Paris 2024
Athletes qualify through the Olympic Qualification Ranking (OQR) system, overseen by the IWF. Points are awarded at major international events including:
- IWF World Championships
- Continental Championships
- Grand Prix events
Each country may only send a limited number of lifters (based on their doping compliance and past record), and quotas are distributed across continents. Final rosters will be confirmed by June 2024. You can track qualification status at the IWF qualification portal.
Medal Predictions: Who Will Top the Podium?
While it’s impossible to guarantee outcomes, based on recent international performances, likely medal contenders include:
- China: Traditionally dominant across multiple weight classes
- Georgia: Especially in super heavyweights
- USA: Strong representation in women’s events
- Iran & Uzbekistan: Strong in men’s heavier categories
- Colombia & Thailand: Rising stars, particularly in the lower weight classes
Expect tight battles and possible world records, especially in the 102+ and 81+ kg events.
Interesting Facts About Olympic Weightlifting
- Weightlifting first appeared in the 1896 Athens Olympics
- Only two lifts are used today; earlier formats included the press
- The heaviest clean & jerk ever recorded in the Olympics is 265 kg by Lasha Talakhadze
- The lightest Olympic category is 49 kg (for women)
- Paris 2024 will feature a more gender-balanced program than ever before
For more Olympic stats and archives, visit the Olympic Games medal history page.
Tips for Following Olympic Weightlifting in 2024
- Convert the Paris schedule to your local timezone ahead of the Games
- Follow official hashtags like #Paris2024 and #OlympicWeightlifting on social media
- Subscribe to live alerts from the Olympics.com app
- Watch replays and highlights if you miss the live session
- Read post-event analysis for insight into scoring and technique
The competition may only last five days, but it’s packed with drama, emotion, and elite-level performance.
Conclusion: Power, Precision, and Glory Await in Paris
As one of the most electrifying events of the Games, Olympic weightlifting combines technique, speed, and unimaginable strength. With a streamlined schedule, global superstars, and historic new rivalries, Paris 2024 is set to be a defining moment for the sport. Whether you’re a die-hard lifting fan or just discovering the thrill of the platform, make sure to mark your calendar from August 7 to August 11, 2024. One lift can change a life—and rewrite Olympic history.
