The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has decided to hold the 2030 World Championships in Moscow. The organisation’s Executive Committee announced the decision on 25 October 2026. This is the first time since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that an international federation for an Olympic sport has granted the Russian Federation the right to host a senior world championship of this calibre.
- The International Weightlifting Federation has chosen Moscow to host the 2030 World Championships.
- The decision was adopted by the IWF Executive Committee on 25 October 2026.
- In July, the IOC left the decision on whether to hold international tournaments in Russia to the respective sports federations.
- The exact dates and venue of the championship in Moscow have not yet been announced.
Moscow is set to host the World Cup for the first time in 47 years
The International Weightlifting Federation has announced the host cities for four world championships scheduled for 2028–2030. Following a vote by the Executive Committee, the Russian capital was awarded the right to host the 2030 World Championships for seniors.
Moscow last hosted the World Weightlifting Championships in 1983, back in the days of the Soviet Union. Previously, such competitions had been held there in 1975 and 1980.
In addition to Russia, the federation has named the hosts for three further tournaments. In 2028, the World Youth Championship will take place in Pristina (Kosovo), and the World Junior Championship in Caracas (Venezuela). The 2029 World Championship for adults will be hosted by Ahmedabad in India.
Secretary-General of the IWF José Quiñones He gave a positive assessment of the bids submitted by the prospective organisers and expressed confidence that the competition would be a success. However, the federation has not yet announced the specific dates for the 2030 championship or the venue where it will take place.
How Russia began to be reinstated in international weightlifting
The decision to hold the World Championships in Moscow was the next step following the IWF’s change in policy regarding Russian and Belarusian athletes.
On 26 June 2026, the federation’s executive committee authorised athletes from Russia and Belarus of all age groups to take part in international competitions organised under its auspices, subject to the established eligibility rules.
Prior to this, the restrictions had been gradually eased for youth and junior athletes. The decision taken in June extended eligibility to adult athletes as well.
Following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, international sporting organisations imposed restrictions on representatives from the Russian Federation and Belarus. In particular, the International Olympic Committee recommended that no international sporting events be held in those countries.
What has changed in the IOC’s recommendations?
In July 2026, the International Olympic Committee temporarily lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and revised its recommendations regarding the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions.
The IOC has also left it up to international sports federations to decide for themselves whether to organise tournaments in Russia, allow representatives of the Russian authorities to attend, and use national symbols.
At the same time, the committee emphasised that it would not hold its own events on Russian territory and would not invite Russian government officials to its events.
Separately, the IOC stated that its position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine has not changed. The organisation continues to condemn the aggression and declares its support for the Ukrainian Olympic community.
Against the backdrop of these changes, the International Weightlifting Federation has become one of the organisations that has not only relaxed the eligibility criteria for Russian athletes, but has also agreed to hold a major international tournament in Russia itself.
