 Weightlifting pictogram | |
| Highest governing body | International Weightlifting Federation |
|---|---|
| First developed | Ancient Greece |
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | No |
| Mixed sex | No |
| Type | Strength sport |
| Equipment | Barbells, weight plates, collars, chalk, tape, shoes, belt |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Worldwide |
| Olympic | Men: 1896, 1904, 1920–present; Women: 2000–present |
Weightlifting first started in the so-called Dark Ages of the human history. It was usually done by the strongest men in villages all over Europe. It was considered to be a sport for the lower classes, however since then it has changed into the sport for other people as well. It has been in the Olympic Games since 1896.