Each competitor is allowed 3 attempts at each type of lift. "Snatch" is performed by lifting the bar from the floor to above the head in one movement and then holding it there for 2 seconds. "Clean and Jerk" or "Jerk" is a 2 part lift. The weight is brought up to the clavicle or chest and then, using the combined strength of arms and legs, it is raised overhead until arms are vertically extended. Competitors are allowed 60 seconds from the time their name is called, until the beginning of their attempt.

When a competitor has 2 consecutive attempts, they are allowed a 2 minutes between attempts. In the case of a tie, the man with the lower bodyweight is the winner.

Weight-lifting is one sport that is in crisis. Prior to the 1995 World Championships 865 lame weightlifters were tested. 62, 31 from different countries, all tested positive for steroids. The International Weight-lifting Federation was the first federation to employ testing equipment that can detect traces of steroids up to 3 months after they have been used rather than the usual 3 weeks.

Weight-lifting became an Olympic sport in 1896. It will be held in the Sydney Convention Centre at Darling Harbour.

Weight:Top 5 Countries

Country	G	S	B	Total
Soviet Union	44	25	2	71
United States	15	16	10	41
Bulgaria	10	13	5	28
Poland	4	3	18	25
Hungary	2	7	9	18