WHAT IS A TECHNICAL OFFICIAL (TO)?

A Technical Official is defined as any person who controls the play of a competition by applying the rules and regulations of the sport to make judgments on rule infringement, performance, time or ranking. A Technical Official acts as an impartial judge of sporting competition. This involves an obligation to perform with accuracy, consistency, objectivity and the highest sense of integrity.

WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF TECHNICAL OFFICIALS AT EVENTS

A suitable number of Technical Officials (TO’s) must be appointed to work at each IWF Event. Only International Technical Officials may work at IWF Events. TO’s selected to work at IWF Events must not be involved in coaching or assisting any athletes during the Event.

The following is a list (left) of Technical Officials responsibilities that must be served at an IWF Event, on the right is a typical provincial meet list of roles to be filled.

IWF EVENT

Jury 2 Groups of 5 = 10

Competition Director 1 or 2
Referees 3 Groups of 4 = 12
Technical Controllers 2 Groups of 2 = 4
Chief Marshal(s) 2 Groups of 1 = 2
Assistant Marshal(s) – NTO(s) to be appointed - For WWC – 3, JWC – 2, YWC – 1 min.
Timekeeper(s) 2 Groups of 1 = 2
Competition Secretary 2 Groups of 1 = 2
Speaker(s) (if computerized Competition Management System is used, the Speaker is not required to be a TO 2 Groups of 1 = 2
Weigh-in Official(s)
Doctors on Duty 2 Groups of 1 = 2

PROVINCIAL EVENT

Jury 2 - Typically not hosted

Competition Director 1 or 2
Referees - 3 per session, total number based on volunteer availability
Technical Controllers 1 - if volunteers are available
Chief Marshal(s) - Typically not hosted
Assistant Marshal(s) - Typically not hosted
Timekeeper(s) - 1 per session
Competition Secretary 2 Groups of 1 = 2
Speaker(s) 1
Weigh-in Official(s) - 1 minimum of same sex (chaperone needed by athlete)
Doctors on Duty - Typically not hosted

TECHNICAL OFFICIALS’ GUIDEBOOK

This document is a guidebook for TO’s in the sport of Weightlifting. This is a publication of the IWF Technical Committee Based on IWF Technical Officials – Roles and Responsibilities A guide to Competition (2011)

**be aware of date as many rules may be out of date at this time.

TECHNICAL OFFICIALS UNIFORM GUIDELINES

This document outlines the guidelines for TO’s uniforms in the sport of Weightlifting. This is a publication of the IWF Technical Committee Based on IWF Technical Officials.

TECHNICAL AND COMPETITION RULES

TO’s must be aware of the rules of the sport - attached is the Technical and Competition Rules document from the IWF.

CATEGORIES OF TECHNICAL OFFICIALS

In Weightlifting, there are five levels of Technical Officials:

The first level of officiating is the Provincial Category 4 Technical Official. Category 4 TO’s may officiate at provincial club, inter-club and open competitions.

The second level of officiating is the Canadian Weightlifting Federation Haltérophile Canadienne (CWFHC) National Category 3 Technical Official. In addition to the above competitions, CWFHC Category 3 TOs may officiate at all levels of national competitions.

The third level of officiating is the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Category 2 Technical Official. In addition to the above competitions, an IWF Category 2 TO may officiate at all levels of international Events, excluding Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games, World Championships and Universiades.

The fourth and most prestigious level of officiating is the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Category 1 Technical Official. In addition to the above competitions, an IWF Category 1 TO may officiate at all levels of international Events, including Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games, World Championships and Universiades.

An IWF Category 1 and 2 TO licence must be renewed each quadrennial (Olympic cycle) as noted the relevant IWF Technical and Competition Rules & Regulations handbook.

The newly established International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Certificate of Duty makes up the fifth category of officiating. The IWF Certificate of Duty TO is eligible to assist in all levels of international Events, including Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games, World Championships and Universiades; except in positions where an IWF Category 1 or 2 TO is required according to IWF Technical and Competition Rules & Regulations. (This is an exceptional category and distributed at the discretion of the IWF.)

CERTIFICATION PATHWAYS FOR TECHNICAL OFFICIALS

Provincial Category 4 Technical Official

Be a member of a PSO in good standing
Attend an Officiating Clinic conducted by an IWF Category 1 or 2 TO.
Pass the 60 question theory exam conducted by a TO. The passing grade is 75%.
Referee 65 lifts while being adjudicated by a CWFHC Category 3 (or higher) TO. The 65 lifts must be done within one competition and must consist of the weigh-in.
Participate at a weigh-in for one session.
Act in the following roles for one session: Technical Controller, timekeeper and scorekeeper.

Category 4 TO adjudication may be arranged with the OWA VP Technical or assigned designate at either a club, interclub or open competition.

CWFHC National Category 3 Technical Official

Be a member of a PSO in good standing
Be active as a Category 4 TO for at least one year.
Attend an Officiating Clinic conducted by an IWF Category 1 or 2 TO
Pass the CWFHC Technical Official Examination conducted by a Category 3 (or higher) TO. The passing grade is 85%
Referee at least 100 lifts while being adjudicated at a sanctioned open or National level competition by a Jury consisting of IWF Category 1 and/or 2 TOs (the lifts must be done within one competition and must consist of the weigh-in; passing grade is 85%)
Referee at least 6 sanctioned open competitions (does not include club meets)
Act as a Technical Controller and Speaker or Marshal for at least 3 sanctioned open competitions.

CWFHC Category 3 TO adjudication may be arranged with the assigned designate at either a provincial or national competition.

IWF Category 2 Technical Official - International

Be a member of a PSO in good standing
Nationally active TO for at least 5 years, as required by the IWF
Submit an application to the CWFHC VP Technical via the PSO to take the IWF Category 2 TO examination at a National level competition
Pass the IWF Category 2 Technical Official exam (both practical and theory) as required and noted in the 2013-2016 IWF Technical and Competition Rules and Regulations

Upon successful completion of the above the applicant provides the required payment for both the IWF Category 2 TO licence and new IWF card. The relevant fees are noted every quadrennial in the IWF Technical and Competition Rules & Regulations handbook. The PSO will forward the payment to the IWF via the CWFHC VP Technical or authorized designate and send the IWF TO card to the applicant.

IWF Category 1 Technical Official - International

Be a member of a PSO in good standing
Active as an IWF Category 2 TO for at least 2 years, as required by the IWF
Submit an application to the CWFHC VP Technical via the PSO to take the IWF Category 1 TO examination at a National level competition
Pass the IWF Category 1 Technical Official exam (both practical and theory) as required and noted in the 2013-2016 IWF Technical and Competition Rules and Regulation

Upon successful completion of the above, the applicant provides the required payment for the IWF Category 1 TO licence to the PSO. The relevant fee is noted every quadrennial in the IWF Technical and Competition Rules & Regulations handbook. The PSO will forward the payment to the IWF via the CWFHC VP Technical or authorized designate and send the IWF TO licence to the applicant.

TECHNICAL OFFICIALS STUDY GUIDES

The following are sample questions and answers for technical officials examinations that have been provided by the International Federation of Weightlifting.