Why Powerlifting Will Never Be an Olympic Sport

[Shawn "Future" Bellon]

Well, there are alot of reasons I am sure but I recognize a few. Feel free to chime in or disagree.

1. 3 lifts. Meets tend to be long and boring. The IOC isn't very creative to keep things fresh along with a strong fan base so it would have to be dropped to two lifts which most liekly would be the bench and deadlift.

2. Judging. Again, the deadlift is pretty straight forward in its execution but the BP can be manipulated. The IOC wouldnt want some contortionist with a 3" stroke setting a world record.

3. Equipment. It would have to go. Belt and wirst wraps would suffice but again things would have to be quick and snappy. OL now have very quick flights. This is encouraged by the IOC. Not ot mention that the IOC has already stated that the equipment issue is a primary discourager to PL becoming an OL sport.

4. Drugs. I don't need to say any more.

5. OL. They already have their brute sport. The IOC doesnt think anything is broken. Although the OL fan base is so weak because no one can appreciate what goes on. We can all appreciate a squat, bench or deadlift. But the IOC is blind and is more interested in bringing in lame as things like TRAMPOLINE! WTF!

Ok, your turn.

[In-Human]

F, I really think that letting in the 3 lifts would be the best thing and draw more fans, I really do, cleans and clean and jerk are nice but we need some new shit here to watch, I think it would be awesome to see some real lifting with no shirts and what the hell no drugs, I think it would still be interesting...

[Shawn "Future" Bellon]

Well, I would love to see all 3 personally. I just no what the IOC has told the IPF and USAPL. The squat is one of those lifts that becomes tainted with the suits and kness wraps but oh well. I'd love if someone would lobby the sport but with all the feds etc the IOC doesnt take powerlifting seriously...but the trampoline? As far as the drugs go. I have always thought, if they test, dont use. But I may be too idealistic about this. Again I was going to an APF meet...commonly known as the ANABOLIC POWERLIFTING FEDERATION.

But I am with you in thinking the fan base would be a good thing if given a chance. I just think the IOC is too lame and boring to allow it to happen.

[HulkArms747]

There are always obstacles to overcome in anything. Look how far other underground sports have gone.... skateboarding, and ect.... I know skateboarding is easier to watch being a fan, but with a mindset telling yourself something will never be, than it never will be. At least if you say theres a chance and you wrok towards getting to that state in that sport there is a possibility. I mean, for goodness sakes. OJ simpson was found not guilty!!1 lol

[Sentinel]

Well, there are alot of reasons I am sure but I recognize a few. Feel free to chime in or disagree.

1. 3 lifts. Meets tend to be long and boring. The IOC isn't very creative to keep things fresh along with a strong fan base so it would have to be dropped to two lifts which most liekly would be the bench and deadlift.

2. Judging. Again, the deadlift is pretty straight forward in its execution but the BP can be manipulated. The IOC wouldnt want some contortionist with a 3" stroke setting a world record.

3. Equipment. It would have to go. Belt and wirst wraps would suffice but again things would have to be quick and snappy. OL now have very quick flights. This is encouraged by the IOC. Not ot mention that the IOC has already stated that the equipment issue is a primary discourager to PL becoming an OL sport.

4. Drugs. I don't need to say any more.

5. OL. They already have their brute sport. The IOC doesnt think anything is broken. Although the OL fan base is so weak because no one can appreciate what goes on. We can all appreciate a squat, bench or deadlift. But the IOC is blind and is more interested in bringing in lame as things like TRAMPOLINE! WTF!

Ok, your turn.

this is an interesting post....

i have a question: i am confused: where are drugs used more often?

i know this question is kinda dumb, but ive always been curious as to what drugs a PL'er can take....

[dbcb314]

this is an interesting post....

i have a question: i am confused: where are drugs used more often?

i know this question is kinda dumb, but ive always been curious as to what drugs a PL'er can take....

any type of AAS...

drugs = steroids... is that what you mean?

weird question...

[53greystreet]

I agree, it will not become an Olympic Sport.

I personally like the way it is, hardcore and underground.

[BIX]

i think it would be great if it became an olympic sport...but unfortunatly everything today is based off tv ratings for olympics and i doubt it would get that much fan base besides us few

[pjr]

It would legitimize lifts. No more of this half squatting wrapped up like a mummy monolift bullshit. Guys would have to walk out squats, do full squats, have stricter bench judging (no more of this arching to a ridiculous degree) wear only belts, and then we'd find out who the real strong guys are.

[Shawn "Future" Bellon]

i think it would be great if it became an olympic sport...but unfortunatly everything today is based off tv ratings for olympics and i doubt it would get that much fan base besides us few

I disagree in that regard. Everyone has done squats, deads and bench presses so many can relate and appreciate what they are seeing. They have no idea with Olympic lifts. Not one bit.

[pjr]

I agree. People tend to be more unfamiler with the Oly lifts than the standard powerlifts.

[BIX]

future and pjr - that's true, i didn't think of it like that...i know i would def watch if it was on tv...

i was more thinking about the guys that run a TV station like NBC...sure they might know what Oly lifts are, but that's b/c they've been part of the olympics basically since it started...i just don't see them understanding the "hardcore" lifter and that's what they would be putting on their TV stations, that's all

[Achilleus]

I don't see any good reason why powerlifting as seen in the IPF Worlds could not be part of the Olympic games.

Certain changes would have to be made, such as the standardization of lifting gear, limitation of arching on bench, no sumo deadlifting (it looks silly), etc.

[BIX]

The IOC isn't very creative to keep things fresh along with a strong fan base so it would have to be dropped to two lifts which most liekly would be the bench and deadlift.

like future said...IOC isn't very creative to keep things fresh and get maintain a strong fan base...which is the name of the game for the IOC...no fan base + no incoming money=new IOC

[idk]

i think that Future is right, except i believe that it would come down to bench and squat, not bench and deadlift, because it would be a measurement of one thats(to the average joe) an upper body move, and one thats a lower body move. and i'm an OL fan and i agree that most people can't appreciate it, but to some extent, you gotta admit that it can seem more impressive than just seeing a guy pull a bar off the floor since they accelerate it so much that it goes flying everywhere and people are jumping up and down.