News Letter-IPF Agenda 8/30/07

Vic Salvaggi, meet director and organizer of "Lift for the Cure," announced that the meet scheduled for September 16 has been postponed. A date in February, 2008 is being considered.

IPF News:
The IPF has published the agenda for the upcoming meeting of the 2007 Congress. This meeting will be held at the Freizeit Arena and is scheduled to start at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 14. Highlights include:

1) Treasurer's report- Gaston Parage reports that due to an increase of fines levied, the federation is "closing the financial situation with a good benefit." Additional revenue has allowed for expansion into media resources such as streaming video and "The International Powerlifter" which is the IPF magazine in its first year of publication. Along with sending equipment to Guatemala, Samoa, Italy, Libya and New Zealand for the development of the sport, the improved financial position of the federation has allowed the federation to support efforts monetarily in Africa and NAPF. He does express some disappointment with member nations not supporting the medal exchange and submitting fees on time.

2) General Secretary’s Report- Detlev Albrings describes the large volume of work that is undertaken while expressing disappointment with a lack of support, especially in the matter of applying for IOC recognition. He highlights "participation at the WADA-ADAMS-Systems in 2008" as a major undertaking of critical importance in the fight against doping.

3) Jean-Claude Verdonck, chairman of the Law and Legislation, expresses concern that the Greek and Irainian Powerrlifting Federation do not participate in IPF events despite having their Constitution's approved. He also is concerned that nations who have applied are not taking advantage of his expertise and willingness to assist in completing the required documents to join the IPF. He notes the following concerning the Caribbean; "When I was in Killeen, Texas in October 2006 Mr Robert KELLER told me he would do his best to have a copy of the Caribbean Constitution. But since then there was a split between the Bodybuilding Federation and the Powerlifting Federation. So, now the questions are:
--- Does the Caribbean Constitution exist or not?
--- And do they still want to join us?
Maybe we can ask them directly the questions.
Just now I have received the Cameroon Constitution so I’m going to read it, examine it and control it to see whether their Proposal of Constitution fully respects our latest IPF Laws and Legislations. "

4) Constitution / By-Laws Proposal:
IPF shall re-establish the Women’s Committee:
Reason: To work to promote female powerlifting and recruit Women into governing bodies in powerlifting.

5) Elections:
President: Detlev Albrings (GER), Robert Wilks (AUS), Susumu Yoshida (JPN)

General Secretary: Detlev Albrings (GER), Robert Keller (USA), Emanuel Scheiber (AUT)

Treasurer: Gaston Parage (LUX)

Technical Committee Chairman: John Stephenson (GBR)

Medical Committee Chairman: Bernie Miller (USA)

Disciplinary Committee Chairman: Dietmar Wolf (NOR)

Appeal Committee Chairman: Lars-Göran Emanuelson (SWE)

Law & Legislation Committee Chairman: Jean-Claude Verdonck (BEL)

Doping Commission: Robert Wilks (AUS)

Women’s Committee Chairwoman: Eva Speth (GER) 22/40

Board members to be confirmed:
Africa: Alan Ferguson (RSA)
Asia: Susumu Yoshida (JPN)
Subrata Dutta (IND)
Europe: Arnulf Wahlström (NOR)
North America: Larry Maile (USA)
Oceania Robert Wilks (AUS)
Steve Lousich (NZL)
South America: Julio Conrado (BRA)

Non executive members (appointed by the EC / proposals can made by the member federations)
Auditor: Gerhard Geissler (GER)
Jean-Claude Verdonck (BEL)
Media Officer / Newsletter Editor: Dennis Unitt (GBR)
Records Registrar: Jari Tähtinen (FIN)
Championship Secretary: Gaston Parage (LUX)
Internet Officer: Wim Wamsteeker (NED)
Referee’s Registrar: Göran Gunnarsson (SWE)

Appointed by EC:
DHP-Chairman: James F. Cirincione (USA)

6) Verbiage proposed for establishing the Athletes’ Commission and Coach Commission.

7) Technical Rule Proposals:
Five proposals have been submitted that may decide the future use of the bench shirt. Two nations (Germany and Australia) have proposed outlawing the use of bench shirts. Three nations (Germany, Australia and Sweden) and the IPF-Executive Committee/Technical Committee have proposed limiting use of shirts to those with 40% elasticity or "allow shirts that stretch at least 40% horizontally & vertically under 200 Newton’s of strain." The U.S.A. proposes; " No changes are to be made in the technical rules or rules of performance governing the bench shirt or its use or materials from those that are approved currently and which are currently in use."

Bench Press (IPF-EC/TC)-
After receiving the signal, the lifter must lower the bar to the chest (the chest, for the purpose of the rule, finishes at the base of the sternum/ breastbone), hold it motionless on the chest, after which the Chief referee will signal the audible command "Press". The lifter must then return the bar to arms length with no downward movement of the whole of the bar. with no excessive / immoderate uneven extension of the arms. Any uneven extension is accepted as long as the whole of the bar doesn’t descend during the uplifting process.
When held motionless in this position the audible command "Rack" shall be given together with a backward motion of the arm.

When agreed, changes are necessary: delete in "Causes for Disqualification of a Bench Press" page 17, item 4. Change item 5: Any downward movement of the whole of the bar. Also in Page 8, "Bench Press, blue card" delete first chapter.
In 2 (blue) card. Second paragraph to read - Any downward movement of the "whole" of the bar in the course of being pressed out.

Causes for Disqualification of a Bench press-
Any change in the elected lifting position during the lift proper i.e. any raising movement of the head, shoulders, or buttocks, from the bench, or movement of the feet on the floor / blocks / plates / or lateral movement of hands on the bar.
New: A movement of the feet on the floor / blocks / plates is allowed, as long as the feet are flat on the floor / blocks / plates.
Reason: If the lifter change his position of the feet then this will be a disadvantage for him, because he loose his stability

When agreed, changes are necessary: in Page 9, "Bench Press, yellow card" in second chapter.

There is more. If you compete on in international meets, you are advised to look through the rest. If some of the proposals are passed, it could impact how competitions are competed. Also, while theses are simply proposals, it is important for you, the member of the federation, to let your elected officials know what your concerns are.

note; opinions expressed in articles written by others and posted here on Maryland Powerlifting does not necessarily reflect those of Maryland Powerlifting.