Possibilities for the future?

Since Olympic lifting has only two lifts, it will probably remain the way it is. However, once in a while the idea of shortening the length of a contest comes up. It has been suggested that the Snatch be dropped from competition. Olympic lifting would be a one-lift contest. Since the amount of weight lifted in the Snatch is 80% of the Clean & Jerk, the lifter who wins the Snatch competition usually wins the contest anyway. However, this would be like the track and field folks cutting all running competitions down to the 100 meter dash. I say leave it the way it is -- two lifts. Another idea is to use the the heaviest Olympic lift and the heaviest powerlift -- the Clean & Jerk and the Deadlift. No cumbersome squat stands or benches would be needed. That would be an excellent test of a lifter. The most basic test of a lifter's strength --who can lift the most overhead and off the floor.

The opposite idea is offered by the USAWA. They compete on many different lifts. A typical contest has three to ten lifts. They even have contests where the lifter decides which lift he wants to do. Take a look at these websites. They each open in a new window.