Moscow to host 2030 World Weightlifting Championships, first such Olympic-federation event in Russia since invasion

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has awarded Moscow the 2030 World Weightlifting Championships. It will be the first global event staged in Russia by an Olympic federation since the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

The IWF announced the decision on Sunday, four months after confirming Russian athletes could again compete in its events. Moscow last hosted the World Weightlifting Championships in 1983.

Russia returns to the event calendar

The Russian Weightlifting Federation described itself as the first Olympic sports federation to bring a top-level official competition back to Russia. Federation president Aleksandr Vinokurov thanked the IWF and said Moscow had experience and modern infrastructure for major international sporting events.

The Moscow championships will also serve as a qualifying event for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane. The IWF announced host cities for four world championships at junior, youth and senior levels; Ahmedabad, India, will stage the 2029 senior event.

Restrictions and Ukraine’s appeal

In July, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. The IOC said no decision had been made on whether Russia could use its flag, colours and anthem at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. It also said it would not organise IOC events in Russia or invite Russian government or state officials to its events.

Ukraine appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the IOC decision concerning the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. The 2025 World Aquatics Championships, initially awarded to Kazan, were moved to Singapore. Russian athletes competed as neutrals at the 2024 Paris Olympics and this year’s Winter Olympics in Milan.