POWERLIFTING

Constitution of the
International Powerlifting Federation

With amenmends 2000 IPF Congress Akita-City Japan

Terminology

Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "Congress", "President" "Technical Committee" and such like shall mean the "IPF Congress", "IPF President", "IPF Technical Committee" etc.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "him", "his" and "Chairman" shall refer to persons of either sex.

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I: NAME, OBJECTIVE, OFFICIAL EMBLEM

101.1 Name

This organisation is known as the International Powerlifting Federation and may be referred to as the IPF.

101.2 Objective

(a) The union of all eligible amateur athletic clubs, organisations or other groups active in Powerlifting throughout the world.

(b) To develop standardised competitive rules.

(d) Establish administrative and technical committees from its own number.

(e) Establish,define and enforce rules for the government of amateur powerlifting internationally.

(f) Promote, support and encourage drug free powerlifting

(g) Produce official bulletins and/or powerlifting publications.

(h) Secure other national affiliates (countries).

(i) Promote, sanction and supervise international development programs and competitions, including world championships and single lift competitions.

(j) Maintain an IPF Congress of bona fide international representatives.

(k) To further the cause of powerlifting and strive for acceptance by the International Olympic Committee.

(l) To maintain membership of the General Assembly of International Sports Federations and take part in the World Games.

101.3 Logo

The official emblem is characterized by an oblong octagon shield coloured bright red with an international powerlifting bar having three black discs on either end of the bar. The letters IPF in white shall be portrayed centrally resting on and above the bar with the letter "P"enlarged by half as much again over its fellows.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERS

202.l Membership

The membership of the IPF consists of national affiliates active in amateur powerlifting. The IPF can recognise only one member (organisation) from each nation.

(a) Only those lifters who are members of, and are certified as amateurs by their respective national federation, association or organisation, can be considered eligible for membership.

(b) Categories of IPF Membership:

1) Full Member

2) Provisional Member

A Provisional Member may only compete in world championships by the decision of the IPF Executive or in regional championships by decision of the Regional Executive or Regional President if no Executive exists.

However, once granted permission, a Provisional Member shall have all competition rights but no vote. The Executive will be authorised to decide the amount of annual subscription required from a Provisional Member.

(c) All countries applying for membership shall, on payment of the annual subscription fee, be granted provisional membership of the IPF subject to ratification at the next Congress.

(d) A new member nation must be affiliated to its regional federation before it can be affiliated to the IPF.

202.2 Representation.

The IPF is governed by a Congress consisting of a maximum of two delegates from each national affiliate. However, only one vote per country is permitted.

ARTICLE III: IPF CONGRESS

303.1 The Congress is the supreme governing body of the IPF.

303.2 The Congress shall meet annually one day before the start of the Men's Open World Championships.

303.3 Powers.

The Congress has the power:

(a) To admit any national affiliate (country) eligible under the Constitution by means of a two-thirds majority of votes cast.

(b) To prescribe and amend the constitution, and bylaws by a two-thirds majority of votes cast and the technical rules by a simple majority of votes cast

(d) By a simple majority vote of members present, to remove any suspension or remit any penalty previously imposed on any person or organisation, being members of the IPF.

(e) To remove from office by means of a two thirds majority vote, any person who through neglect of duty or misconduct has brought the IPF into disrepute or in any way impaired it's function or development.

(f) To establish dues of the IPF.

(f) To control the income, expenditure and property of the IPF. In particular, it shall examine the audited balance sheet presented by the Treasurer and approve a budget for the forthcoming year.

(h) To call and determine the time and place of special meetings of the Congress.

(i) To institute, locate, conduct and manage all amateur international powerlifting.

(j) To establish, define and enforce rules for the government of international powerlifting.

(k) To explain, define and interpret any provision of the Constitution.

(m) To form standing, ad hoc and sub committees and to elect the chairmen of the same. The standing committees of the IPF shall include Medical, Technical and Disciplinary.

(m) To nominate and appoint the appropriate number of IPF representatives to the IOC when membership has been secured.

(n) To consider and accept proposed changes to the Constitution and By - Laws every fourth year in the even numbered years between Olympic years.

(o) To consider and accept proposed changes to the Technical Rules only in Olympic years.

(o) To elect the executive officers of the IPF every four years. Elect executive officers to fill any casual vacancies which may occur between such election years.

ARTICLE IV:EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, THEIR ELECTION AND DUTIES

Part A

404A.1 Titles.

The titles of the officers of the IPF are: President, six (6) Vice Presidents, determined by Regions (Continents), Secretary, Treasurer and Committee Chairmen. A maximum of three executive officers from any nation.

404A.2 Executive

(A) The Executive shall consist of the President, Secretary, Treasurer plus the six Vice Presidents. There shall be at least a quorum of four members. In the event of an impasse (stalemate), the President shall have the casting vote.

(B) Powers of the Executive:

(1) It shall be the governing body of the IPF between Congresses.

(2) To maintain running control of the expenditure of the IPF, in accordance with the budget approved by the Congress.

(3) It shall prepare a budget for the forthcoming year for presentation to the Congress.

(3) To assign a Vice President to take over the powers and duties of the President in the event of his absence or incapacity.

(4) Vacancies. In the event of the death, resignation or in case of inattention to duty by recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee, the various offices are to be filled as follows:

(a) President: The Vice President will be designated by the Executive to succeed the President until the next Congress. At this Congress, the presidential successor, shall be elected.

(b) Vice President: The Executive shall appoint a successor, to serve until the next Congress, to fulfil the unexpired term.

(5) To appoint the non-executive officers specified in 404B.1 hereunder. The Executive shall also have the power to remove non-executive officers from office.

(6) To conduct disciplinary hearings and appeals as follows: The Disciplinary committee is the approprite committee for these.

The following provisions shall apply to Disciplinary and Appeal hearings.

(a)DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS.

The Disciplinary committee shall investigate the case of any affliated federation, lifter or official accused of any of the following:

i) Bringing the IPF or the sport of Powerlifting into disrepute

ii) Acting in a manner that is contrary to the best interests of the IPF.

iii) Contravening any of the provisions of the Constitution or By-Laws

IV) Contravening any of the rules or regulations governing the accepted behavior of members of the IPF.

Following such investigation it may impose an appropriate penalty.

(b) APPEAL HEARINGS.

The Disciplinary committee shall receive all documents relating to any appeal. Such appeals must be lodged with the general secretary within one month of the written notification of the decision on which the appeal is based. A copy of the appeal must be sent to the president.

The Disciplinary committee shall within one month of receiving all documentation relating to the appeal examine and investigate the matter and decide on an appropriate penalty.

An appeal against any decision of the Appear Hearing Disciplinary Committee may be made to Congress. Such appeal must be lodged with the general secretary within one month (and not later than six weeks before the date of the Congress) of the written decision being given. The appeal shall be lodged with the general secretary who shall then include the appeal on the agenda to be considered by Congress.

Within a one month period following the decision of Congress on an appeal, there shall be a final right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne Switzerland.

Appeals lodged with the Executive and appeals to the Congress must each be accompanied by payment of DM 500 if they relate to suspensions or fines for drug offences, or DM 300 for other appeals. If the appeal is successful no claim may be made against the IPF but half of the fee paid for the appeal will be refunded.

The Executive may, in its absolute discretion, waive or vary the time limits contained herin.

(8) To administer the IPF Development Fund.

404A.3 Election.

Elections for all officers will be held every four years.

404A.4 Term of Office.

(a) The term of office for all officers of the IPF shall be for four years. They shall be eligible for re election.

(b) A person may be nominated for IPF office by any federation member, provided that he is in good standing in his own federation. "A member in good standing" shall be defined as a fully paid up member of his national federation, who is not under suspension by that body or by the IPF.

404A.5 Duties.

The duties of various officers are those duties appointed by the Congress and include:

(a) President:

(1) He orders meetings of the IPF as provided in the Constitution and presides at all meetings of the IPF and Congress.
(2) He has the right to exercise all the duties pertaining to his office in accordance with the Constitution.
(3) He is an ex officio member of all committees.

(b) Vice Presidents:

(1) They have such duties as assigned to them by the President and have all the power and perform the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the latter to attend.
(2) To represent the IPF in his region and at national and international championships and meetings.
(3) To contact potential new member nations in his region.
(4) To serve as a consultant to the member federations within that region.
(5) To represent his region at the IPF Executive Meetings and the Congress.
(6) To make suggestions to the various IPF Committees.
(7) To plan and control development programs within his region.

(c) General Secretary:

(1) To make proper arrangements for keeping the records of the IPF and the Congress.
(2) Conduct all official correspondence of the IPF.
(3) Issue all official notices of all IPF meetings.
(4) Keep a complete record of competitions held under the auspices of the IPF. These records. Shall include the results of national championships, newsletters and magazines.
(5) To serve as Secretary of the Congress and at any special meetings or hearings of the IPF. (6) To maintain and certify all world records.
(7) To certify as a "Provisional Member" any applying nation who submits the proper fees and credentials, until such time as the Congress shall deliberate such membership.
(8) Delegate any of the aforementioned duties to an "assistant secretary" appointed by the Executive or to such assistants as may be provided by the IPF By-Laws to perform same.

(d) Treasurer:

(1) Receive all monies due to the IPF and deposit same to accounts in the name of the IPF. (2) Sign all cheques, notes and drafts together with one other signature as provided by the IPF By-Laws.
(3) Pay all bills approved by the duly authorised officer or by the Congress, provided same is within the authorised current budget of the IPF.
(4) When requested, hand over to the Finance Secretary for audit or other purposes, all monies, accounts, books, papers, vouchers and records pertaining to his office.
(5) To present an audited balance sheet to the annual Congress. Audit of IPF accounts is to be made by the Finance Secretary.
(6) To be responsible for collecting annual memberships fees and any necessary sanction fees from member nations.
(7) To be responsible for issuing an invoice and collecting any penalties.

Part B

NON-EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, THEIR ELECTION and DUTIES

404B.1 Titles

The titles of the non-executive officers of the IPF are: Finance secretary, Media Officer, Records Secretary, Newsletter Editor, Championships Secretary, Doping control Secretary, Internet Officer.

404B.2 Appointment and Rights

Non-executive officers shall be appointed by the Executive. By invitation of the President they may attend meetings of the Executive but without vote and with voice only on matters relating to their respective offices.

404B.3 Duties

Duties of the non-executive officers are those duties mandated by the Executive including"

(a) Finance Secretary:

(1) Shall audit the balance sheet and books of the treasurer prior to the Congress.
(2) Monitor the expenditure of the IPF in regard to the budget.
(3) The finance secretary, if living in the same country as the treasurer, shall countersign all IPF cheques.

(b) Media Officer:

(1) Shall promote the IPF through the electronic and print media. The president must approve in writing all promotional material and press releases.
(2) Shall consider all opportunities for television rights for international championships and make appropriate recommendations to the Executive.
(3) Shall work with the Newsletter Editor to obtain paid advertising for the IPF publication and to increase it's circulation.

All television rights for international competition shall be the sole property of the IPF, less any fee negotiated with the promoting federation. At world championships, the IPF will receive 40%, the promoting federation 30% and all the participating federations will share the remaining 30% of the television revenue. This distribution of monies will only apply when the IPF obtains the contract and represents the profit after any costs of providing the signal for the broadcast are deducted. In the event of the IPF not having obtained a signed contract with a TV company at least twelve months before the date of the championships, then the IPF will waive its rights in favour of the promoter and receive an agreed percentage of the TV and sponsorship monies. This percentage will not exceed 25% of said monies.

Promoters of world championships should be aware that when they apply for a sanction to promote the

championships, the IPF does not guarantee that it will be able to obtain a TV contract for the event.

(1) Shall publish the official IPF newsletter or magazine on a bi-monthly basis. If necessary Additional issues should be published on an 'as required' basis.
(2) Shall set advertising rates (which must be ratified by the Executive) for the IPF Newsletter/magazine and shall work with the Media Officer to obtain paid advertising for the publication and to increase its circulation.
(3) Maintain a current distribution list for the IPF publication. This list shall compromise all entries in the IPF directory as well as additional parties to whom the IPF publication is distributed.

(d) Records Secretary

1) Shall certify all World records and maintain an up to date register of all records in all categories. World records can only be confirmed if IPF drug testing requirements for the acceptance of World records have been complied with. Pending the confirmation of a negative drug test by the analysing laboratory records shall be shown on the register as being "pending" for a period of not more than six months from the date of the performance. If the record is not confirmed within this period it shall be erased from the register.

(e) Championship Secretary

1) Shall maintain a Calender of Events covering all major events for a period of not less than 24 months from the date of the Calender.

In normal circumstances, all world and regional championships shall be allocated dates within the calendar that fall at approximately the same time each year. This principle shall be adhered to wherever possible. For example, the Men's Open World Championships should be staged in November each year, while the Women's Open World Championships should be in May. Regions are to allocate similar annual dates for their own regional events and may combine regional with world championships if they are hosts for the world event. The major events in the IPF calendar are as follows:

(a) World championships for Men (Open), Women (Open), Junior 19-23 years (Men and Women), Juvenile 14-18 years (men and Women ), and Masters (Men and Women). Masters age categories are 40-49 years and 50-59 years and over 60 years for men. Over 40-49 years and over 50 years for women. World bench press championships for Men (Open), Women (Open), Disabled Men (Open) and Disabled Women (Open).

(b) World Cup. Students World cup

(d) Other international events as approved.

The Championship Secretary shall ensure that major international events do not clash. If necessary, sanction may be refused in order to achieve an orderly calendar.

2) Shall distribute to affiliated federations the invitation and details of major events at east six months prior to the event. He shall also distribute team nomination forms and other necessary documents to affiliated federations.

The invitation will be based upon the answers to a standard questionnaire sent to the host federation and/or organisers of the championship when a bid is accepted. Closing dates for world championships to be 6 to 8 weeks prior to the contest dates. If special hotel and transport booking forms are required, a draft copy of these forms shall also be sent to the Championship in order that they may be distributed with the invitation. Accommodation rates charged by the organiser must not exceed the normal rack rate charged by the establishment providing the accommodation. Nomination forms for world championships must provide columns for the following information (which may be used for OCT [out of competition testing]):

(a) Lifter's family name.

(b) Lifter's first name in full.

(b) Lifter's best total performed within the preceding twelve months at national or international level.

(e) Lifter's passport number, address and phone number, for OCT testing.

3) Shall collate all team nomination forms and ensure that they are fully and properly completed. He shall then prepare a full list of lifters nominated for the event. A copy of this shall be sent to the Internet Officer, the Newsletter editor, the Media Officer, the General Secretary and the President.

4) Prepare or obtain from the responsible event official, the full results of the event and distribute this to the persons specified in the preceding section. Pending the final drug testing results championships results shall be published as "Provisional Pending Final Drug Test Results."

5) Before a sanction for a major event is granted he must ensure that the applicant has the capacity for successfully promoting the event and the ability to comply with all the requirements of the IPF.

(f) Doping Control Officer

1) Arranges and co-ordinates drug testing for all World Championships. Wherever possible testing shall be by an agency independent of the IPF.

2) Liases with the analysing laboratories to collect all drug testing results.

3) For any positive drug test result he shall inform the lifters nation of the test result, the action required from the nation and the applicable sanction(s).

4) When all testing results have been finalised he shall communicate these to the Records Secretary, the General Secretary and the Internet Officer.

(g) Internet Officer

1) Maintains the IPF Internet site.

i) the Directory

ii) Constitution and By-Laws

iii) Drug testing Protocol

iv) Technical Rules and the "Rule Interpretation" appendix

v) World Records

vi) Calender of Events

vii) Invitations and details on forthcoming events.

viii) Results of major events

ix) Drug testing results

x) Authorised material from the President or Executive

2) Other than replies to routine enquiries he shall not post any other material without the written consent of the President.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

505.1 Annual

Unless otherwise determined by the Congress, the annual meeting of the IPF will be held one day before the start of the Men's Open World Championships.

505.2 Special

Special meetings of the IPF are scheduled at the request of the President or at the written request of two thirds of the members of the IPF. Specific matters, except amendments to the Constitution, can be considered at a special meeting.

505.3 Notices

Time is of the essence. Not less than thirty days notice must be given of any special or annual meeting of the IPF. The Secretary will airmail a notice and agenda to all named delegates or their federation. A notice sent to the last address known to the Secretary complies with this requirement.

505.4 Order of Business

At all annual meetings of the IPF the following will be the order of business:

(a) Roll Call.

(b) President's Address.

(d) Treasurer's Report.

(e) Secretary's Report.

(f) Committee Reports.

(g) Regional Reports.

(h) Elections.

(i) Action on proposed amendments.

(j) New Member Applicants.

(k) Delinquent Nations.

(l) Hall of Fame.

(m) Future Championships.

(n) Any Other Business.

(o) Adjournment.

505.5 Quorum.

At all meetings of the IPF, a quorum will consist of twenty per cent of nations in full membership.

505.6 Procedures

The following are the procedural rules for all meetings of the IPF

(a) The Standing Orders of the IPF are the supreme document for all IPF meetings except when they are in conflict with the provisions of the Constitution. In such cases, the Constitution prevails.

(b) A motion to table is debatable only when a time to debate is fixed by a majority of the Congress.

(c) All amendments to the Constitution and the By Laws must be submitted to all national affiliates and the appropriate committee before it can be acted upon at the annual meeting of the IPF.

Such proposed amendments must be in the hands of the Secretary at least one hundred and twenty (12O) days prior to the date of the Congress. All such amendments can be submitted by a national federation, a regional federation or the appropriate committee. The Secretary shall send out all such amendments at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of the Congress for the attention of all national affiliates.

505.7 Credentials.

The following are required:

(a) The names of all delegates to the Congress. Member Federations may designate a maximum of two delegates, preferably the president and the secretary. Delegates other than the president and secretary shall present a written authority of their federation not later than the opening of the annual or special meeting.

(b) Failure to make the proper certification will deny a seat at such meetings unless the delegate be accepted by a majority vote of Congress.

ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY THE CONGRESS

606.0 Committees

Each committee shall consist of a chairman elected by the Congress and a maximum of six (6) members from various nations who shall be appointed by the Executive in consultation with the Committee Chairman.

606.1 Technical Committee.

(a) The Technical Committee shall be entrusted with the examination of all requirements and proposals of a technical nature submitted to the IPF by affiliated federations. Proposals for Rules Congress shall be sent to the Chairman of the Technical Committee. The proposals will be studied by the Committee and the Chairman will be responsible for producing a final list of acceptable rule proposals for presentation to the Congress. The Committee shall within thirty (30) days following the Congress, present to the Executive Committee for approval, any necessary clarifications (rewording) and corrections to the technical rules required by reason of Congress decisions.

(b) The General Secretary shall maintain a complete register of all referees registered by their respective affiliated national federations.

(d) Appoints the chief and side referees for world championships.

(e) Trains and instructs referees who wish to take international qualifications and examines those who are recommended for examination. The Committee shall inform the Congress of the names of referees qualified to officiate at international championships and those who need to be re-examined.

(f) Organises courses for referees before important competitions such as the world championships.

(g) The expense of organising courses or clinics shall be borne by the host federation.

(h) The Committee can propose that Congress withdraw a referee's international card and terminate his appointment if it deems such action necessary.

(i) The Committee may, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, publish material of a technical nature which deals with methods of training and performance of the power lifts. Such material shall be sent to all affiliated federations.

(j) Establish procedures for training of officials in the conduct of contests and prepare job briefs for the use of officials appointed to specific duties during a contest.

(k) Establish a code of ethics and good behaviour for the use of all officials. Infringements of the code may be referred to the Executive Committee for appropriate action.

(l) Ensure that the equipment used by member nations and at world and regional championships conforms with the specific detailed requirements of the IPF.

606.2 Medical Committee.

(a) All decisions of the Committee require the approval of the Congress.

(b) Safeguards the health of the lifters.

(b) Act as consultant to the organiser of world championships on such matters as medical and

hygienic conditions and food supplies to competitors.

(1) To be available at each weigh-in period.
(2) Supervise the application of bandages and plasters in accordance with IPF rules and notify the Jury of such treatment.
(3) Establish a liaison with local medical facilities and doctors for the provision of medical treatment, transport and ambulance service if necessary in emergency.
(4) The duty doctor to be present at the start of each competition together with referees and lifters.
(5) The duty doctor may participate in the doping control procedure. The results to be forwarded to the Congress.

(d) Conduct research and collect material relating to the field of sports medicine. Such material when approved to be distributed to affiliated nations.

(f) Carry out specific studies in relation to sports injuries, treatment and prevention.

(g) Take out and maintain membership of International Sports Medicine Federations.

(h) Conduct such research as necessary to review and establish appropriate bodyweight classes for powerlifting competition.

(i) Conduct such research as necessary to review and establish appropriate doping control procedures to ensure the integrity of powerlifting competition and records.

Article 606.3 Disciplinary Committee.

The Disciplinary committee consits out of the Chairman elected by Congress and 5 members.

Duties as discribed in the various parts of the Constitution and By-Laws.

Additiona : All Suspensions must be decided by the disciplinary committee or disciplinary committee chairman

1) The laboratory informs the General Secretary.

2) The General Secretary sends all documents to the disciplinary chairman.

3). The Chairman of the disciplinary committee asks the lifter for a statement.

4). After examining all facts and documents he makes his decision and send this to the General

Secretary and to the lifter.

ARTICLE VII:REGIONAL FEDERATIONS

707.1 The IPF will recognise regional federations subject to the following conditions:

(a) National federations must affiliate to the appropriate regional federation (if one exists) as well as to the IPF.

(b) Their constitution and rules must be submitted to the IPF Secretary and must conform to all IPF statutes and rules where applicable.

(d) They cannot issue permits for competitions other than their own regional championships.

ARTICLE VIII: SUBSCRIPTIONS AND FEES

808.1 The amount of the annual subscription to the IPF will be determined from time to time by the Congress. The subscription is payable during the first month of the year. Upon receiving payment, a certificate of membership will beissued by the Treasurer. Any country which has not paid its subscription for the current year, cannot participate or vote in the various meetings of the IPF. Its lifters cannot take part in competitions or meetings organised under the rules of the IPF, nor obtain ratification of their records. A reminder letter shall be sent to everyfederation which has not paid its subscription by the end of January.

808.2 Any country organising an international contest must pay to the IPF a fee in accordance with the scale set out in the By Laws and at the discretion of Congress. When world championships are held simultaneously with regional championships, the appropriate IPF sanction fee will be charged and shared equally between the IPF and the regional federation.

808.3 On payment of the required fee, the Secretary will issue a permit for the international contest to the organising nation.

808.4 No nation shall take part in a contest for which a permit has not been issued.

808.5

(a) At all IPF World Championships all analysis costs are borne by the IPF including, in the absence of an independent drug testing agency, the travel expenses of at least one IPF doping official
(b) At Continental and Regional Championships and Games all costs must be covered by the organising committee or according to the Agreement between the organising committee and the relevant Continental Federation including, in the absence of an independent drug testing agency, the travel and accommodation expenses of at least one IPF doping control officer. (c) The cost of analysis of samples taken by the IPF in Out of Competition testing will be covered by the IPF including international travel costs of delivering the samples to the laboratory except that the cost of the room and board of the nominated official(s) or nominated representative(s) are to be borne by the National Federation concerned. The National federation shall also, in the absence of an independent drug testing agency, be responsible for the costs of transportation to and from the nearest international airport and the testing site/accommodation unless otherwise arranged by the IPF and the national federation involved. This provision does not apply if OCT is required under 909.7 (a) (iii).

ARTICLE IX: PENALTIES

909.1 Federations which neglect to request the required IPF permit for an international competition and do not pay the required fee, shall be fined an additional DM300. A warning letter shall be sent to them by the IPF General Secretary. If the fee and fine are not paid within thirty(30) days of sending the warning, the federation shall be suspended until such time as the total amount has been paid. Sanction fees for world championships must be paid at the time of application for the event.

909.2 A national federation which has not paid its annual subscription by the 30th of June, despite having received a reminder letter, shall be suspended from membership of the IPF.

909.3 In the case of a positive doping test result, the lifter involved shall be suspended for the appropriate period as defined in IPF By-Law 502 (e).

909.4

(a) Refusal by a lifter to submit to a doping control test, or to follow proper procedures while in the custody of the doping control team, shall result in that lifter being reported as having registered a positive result.

(b) A lifter who is seriously injured may be excused from providing a sample for testing by decision of the IPF doping commission or it's nominated representatives after consultation with the doctor on duty.

909.5 Any lifter or official convicted of an offence relating to smuggling, selling or being in

possession, of supplying or offering banned substances shall be suspended and fined in accordance with item 909.3 and 909.7.

909.6 Full doping control results shall be sent to the IPF General Secretary by the national or regional federation which sanctioned the contest. All nations must report annual national doping results to the General Secretary not later than 31st March of the following year. Required doping results are those relating to active registered lifters within each national federation.

The report must give the total number of samples tested together with the number of resulting positives and/or negative analyses. Annual reports are required even if no positives were found to exist among the years analyses.

A failure to report such results by the date specified will disqualify offending nations from scoring team points at all World Championships until such time as the results are reported

909.7

(a) The following penalties shall be imposed on a federation that has lifters or officials suspended for drug offences at or in connection with any World Championships. (open, restricted or single lift)

1. For the first offence in any twelve month period:

(a) A fine of DM 500 shall be imposed.

(b) 909:8 hereunder shall be imposed.

2. For the second offence in any twelve month period

(a) If the offence relates to banned substances listed under 5.02 (e) (1) of the bylaws the fine shall be DM 1000

(b) If the offence relates to banned substances listed under 5:02 (e) (2) of the bylaws the fine shall be DM 500

(2) the fine shall be DM 2000

3. For the third offence in any twelve month period:

(a) All the penalties imposed by 909.7 (a) 2 shall apply.

(b) The national federation shall be subject to OCT (out of competition testing) for all its members for a period of twelve months. The full cost for this shall be borne by the federation.

(b) The above fine shall be reduced by 50% of the amounts stated (but subject to a minimum amount of DM 500) if the lifter's federation has an OCT testing program approved by the IPF Executive. The provisions relating to 909.8 and out of contest testing shall also not apply.

(c) The reduced fines shall also apply if the lifter has completed a negative drug test no earlier than two months prior to the date of the offence. The lifter's federation shall verify the test by producing a copy of the laboratory analysis to the general secretary within 21 days of the demand for production being made. The provisions relating to 909.8 and OCT shall also not apply.

(d) If any of the above fines are imposed the offending federation may not participate in any IPF meetings or championships until the fine is paid.

(e) The executive may reduce or remit any fines or sanctions imposed.

909.8 A federation which is fined for drug offenses committed by one or more of its members at a world championship shall only be permitted to enter a team for future versions of that world championship if the team is selected from a list of lifters (maximum 20), nominated in writing to the General Secretary at least six months prior to that world championship. All such nominated lifters may be subject to out of competition doping control. The restrictions shall be removed if there are no drug offenses committed at any world championship by members of that federation for a period of two years.

909.9 If a national federation defaults on a competition engagement with another country or countries, the Congress may, in the case of disagreement between them, make a decision or impose penalties if the IPF Constitution or rules have been ignored.

909.10 If a lifter or official is penalized by his federation, the latter must immediately notify the IPF General Secretary. In the case of lifters or officials suspended for drug offenses at world competitions, they will have their names published in the IPF Newsletter. Lifters or officials suspended for drug offenses at other levels of competition and at "out of competition" testing, or for other reasons, shall be reported to the General Secretary by their national or regional federation. The General Secretary will record the names and length of suspension. Upon request, member federations may be provided with information from this file.

909.11 If a lifter or official commits any form of violation during an international contest in another country, the organising federation must send a detailed report to the IPF General Secretary. He in turn will inform the Congress who will impose appropriate penalties. The organising federation cannot penalize lifters or officials from other countries.

909.12 Any affiliated federation which violates the Constitution or rules of the IPF shall be suspended for a period to be decided by the Congress. The issue of false amateur certificates shall be deemed a serious offence.

909.13 All federations, lifters and officials have the right to be heard before the Congress decides upon the penalty to be imposed. Any decision must be made before the start of the competition in which the person concerned may be participating. The only exception being in the case of drug offenses when the suspension shall take place immediately. Refer also to "Drug Testing Procedure" item 14.

909.14 Any lifter or official who considers that he has been wronged has the right to file a written complaint stating his reasons for complaining. This must be done through the intermediary of his national federation. If another person is implicated, the latter must be heard if at all possible. If the complaint is not made to the organising federation, it may be made to the Jury before the start of the competition. It must be examined immediately and if possible a decision taken.

909.15 A lifter living in a foreign country may only participate in competitions organised in that country provided that he presents written evidence of his amateur status and permission to take part in such competition. These to be provided by his own national federation.

909.16 A lifter or official cannot participate in contests or competitions if:

(a) He is under temporary or permanent suspension.

(b) There is any lifter or official participating in such contests or competitions who has been expelled from the IPF (or any national federation affiliated to the IPF) or who is under suspension. If a lifter or official receives a national suspension of a lesser term than the IPF suspension, then upon the expiration of such national suspension, that lifter or official may participate in contests and competitions (other than IPF international contests) within his own nation.

909.17 Lifters who have competed in non IPF sanctioned contests shall be permitted to compete in IPF Contests provided that they are not under suspension by the IPF for any reason, or by any other federation for a drug related offense.

909.18 The following may be subject to suspension or expulsion:

(a) Any lifter properly entered for a competition who without acceptable reasons does not attend.
(b) Any lifter who is deemed guilty of violating the rules or disobedience towards his national federation or any official in the execution of his duties.
(c) Any lifter convicted of agreement to alter his best effort.
(d) Any lifter, who by words or gestures, threatens referees or any other officials in the execution of their duties.
(e) Any lifter who participates in a contest with other countries without permission of his national federation.

909.19 For serious offenses such as false accusations of dishonour or dishonesty against a lifter or official, permanent expulsion may be decided by the person's national federation or the IPF by a majority vote.

909.20 The sanctioning federation may exclude a lifter from a competition for reasons of his misconduct. In such a case the organisers must inform the lifter's own federation, who in turn must decide what punishment to impose upon the lifter.

909.21 Any member of an affiliated federation who is found to be guilty of bringing the sport into disrepute by means of his comments, published articles, TV or radio broadcasts may be requested to appear before the Disciplinary Committee. Should the Committee feel that a bona fide case of violation exists, they


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