Russia to host first Olympic federation world event since Ukraine invasion

Ada Derana (සිංහල) reports that Russia will host the 2030 World Weightlifting Championships. Sri Lanka Mirror reports that the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced Moscow as the host on Sunday; Hiru News also reports that Russia was awarded the championships.

Sri Lanka Mirror says the decision came four months after the IWF confirmed Russian athletes could again compete in its events. The outlet reports that this will be the first time an Olympic sports federation has selected Russia for a global event since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

Sri Lanka Mirror reports that the International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee in July, a move that could allow Russian athletes to compete for Russia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The outlet says the IWF also announced hosts for four world championships across junior, youth and senior levels, with Ahmedabad awarded the 2029 senior event.

Sri Lanka Mirror reports that no world championships in an Olympic sport have been held in Russia since the war began. It says the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, originally assigned to Kazan, were moved to Singapore, and that Moscow last hosted the World Weightlifting Championships in 1983.

Sri Lanka Mirror reports that IWF general secretary Jose Quinones said the bids were strong and expressed confidence the events would succeed. The outlet also says Russian Weightlifting Federation president Aleksandr Vinokurov thanked the IWF and described Russia as having the experience and facilities to stage major competitions. The championships are also due to serve as a qualifying event for the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, according to Sri Lanka Mirror.