Kazakhstan Emerges as Favored Contender for the 2028 Olympic Qualifying Competition
Los Angeles Secures 2028 Olympic Games Hosting Rights, Weightlifting Qualifiers Remain Unclear
Los Angeles has been selected as the host of the 2028 Olympic Games, marking its third time hosting the prestigious event following the 1932 and 1984 editions. The games are expected to showcase over 3,000 hours of live sports and welcome 15,000 athletes competing in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the latter being a first for the city.
However, the location for the weightlifting qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games remains uncertain. In January 2023, a meeting took place in Astana, Kazakhstan, between IWF President Mohammed Hasan Jalood, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and Mohamed Yousef Al Mana, President of the Asian Weightlifting Federation (AWF). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the potential hosting of the licensing qualifying tournament for weightlifting in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Although the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) President Mohammed Hasan Jalood indicated that Kazakhstan is a likely candidate to host the qualifying tournament, no publicly available information or indication confirms this. The Olympic organizing committee (LA28) currently focuses on venues within the Greater Los Angeles area and existing sports parks, and no external international qualifying event hosts have been officially announced or suggested for weightlifting.
Kazakhstan has shown its commitment to weightlifting, with President Tokayev stating that the sport is of paramount importance for the country. Astana and Almaty, cities in Kazakhstan, have the potential to create a regional weightlifting hub for Central Asian countries, according to Mohamed Yousef Al Mana, the President of the Asian Weightlifting Federation (AWF). This potential is demonstrated by Kazakhstan hosting regional weightlifting events, such as the Asian Weightlifting Championships in 2025.
Despite the ongoing discussions, no definitive decision has been made regarding the hosting of the weightlifting qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games. As the preparations for the Los Angeles Games continue, the focus remains on the city and venues primarily within the United States or nearby regions.
[1] Source: Asian Weightlifting Championships to be held in Kazakhstan in 2025 [4] Source: LA28 Announces Venues for 2028 Olympic Games
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