John Stephenson
IPF TC Chairman
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IPF TECHNICAL COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER
Technical Committee Newsletter N0 1 2003
MARATHON
The Technical Committe have been in-undated with enquiries since the decision was made by the IPF to end the (indefinite) period of grace for the use of the MARATHON supportive costume in competition on the 31st December, 2002.
The MARATHON "question" was brought up at a meeting of the Executive Committee at last years Congress, stemming from the fact that one of our "IPF approved" suppliers of supportive costumes considered it unfair that their company should pay ( and felt reluctant to pay ) licensing fees when a now un-approved ( licence expired) costume was still being used in Powerlifting competition .
It was a dilemma facing the Executive. To further extend the period ( now two years ) of use of an un-licensed product to appease the lifters who still lift wearing MARATHON costumes, but destroy the relationship with our approved licensees - Crain, Inzer and Titan.
One can imagine the fury should one of the "Big Three" decide not to pay the fee, so, making their particular costume illegal for use in IPF competition. Incidentally the IPF Treasurer informs the T.C. that Crain Costumes (IPF Approved) are legal. The current licensing fees having been paid.
The T.C. had no involvement in the discussion , but were first informed that the MARATHON costume would be illegal for use in Internationl Competition i.e. Regional, Continental and World, but legal for use up to, and including National, and for the breaking of International Records at the same.
This did not please the approved licensees who regularly sponsor Local - National events. A point was made that if it was the case, anyone could manufacture supportive costumes and need not pay the fee. Therefore, one would see sub-standard suits not approved by the Technical Committee.
A couple of years ago, a mere suggestion by me (not the T.C.) personally, that lifters may wear supportive equipment un-licensed at their Nationals, caused me no end of trouble. I retracted my words and made apologies to all concerned.
SUPPORTIVE
The rules say - Only costumes officially registered and approved by the T.C. shall be permitted for use in Powerlifting Competition. The costume is not officially registered if the fees have not been paid for the past two years.
It is un-fortunate that no provision was made, when the licensing of supportive equipment became the rule, should one of the licensees cease trading.
A suggestion that payment of 2 - 3 years in advance by suppliers to cover this eventuality is worth considering.
We, the Technical Committee would like to be more helpful to the lifters who wish to continue wearing the MARATHON costume, but it is a matter beyond our control.
STATEMENT FROM
NORBERT WALLAUCH IPF PRESIDENT
Dear All,
Here is my statement about approved gear.
The IPF Technical Rules say clearly that "only costumes and wraps from commercial manufacturers officially registered and approved by the Technical Committee shall be permitted for use in Powerlifting Competitions". This means that they are valid for ALL championships and records from local to world level. We do NOT have different rules for different occasions therefore the IPF also cannot allow the use of non-approved gear to anybody who lifts under the Guidlines of the IPF. On the other hand the IPF has no control what is going on at National Competitions in our various member federations. We can only expect that they follow our rules - also if they do not. But in no way can non-approved gear become legal by the sole decision of a National Federation, a referee, meet director or anybody else. This must be the only official explanation from the IPF and the E C members - or we have to change our rules.
RAISE - A - HAND
It has been suggested that it would be more positive if the side referee's raised their hands and kept them raised until they thought that the lifter was in the correct position to begin the lift.
The Technical Committee, considered this at our recent meeting and were unanimously in favour. It would not involve a rule change as such, just a re-wording of Referees, 8 - IPF Techncial Rules. Should this receive a favourable response from all concerned it will be put to Congress in November.
HANDS AND FINGERS GRIPPING THE BAR
It is a rule that hands and fingers must grip the bar in both the squat and bench press. This for safety in the interest of the lifter and that of the spotters.
Many lifters, mostly "Supers" , were warned at the "Men's Open" last year that they would not receive the signal to begin the squat until the fingers were gripping the bar.
Squat... Fingers, thumbs may be hooked.
Bench Press ... Fingers, thumbs around.
INTERNATIONAL REFEREE'S (EXAMINATIONS)
Congratulations to Luca Toro, Italy who passed his Category Two examination on the 6th December, 2002.
Referee's Registrar and Examination administrator Goran Gunnarsson will not accept applications for the Category One Exam unless they are from the applicants National Secretary with (3) three months notice prior to the examination date. This allows ample time for processing
The rules governing both Cat One and Cat Two can be found on pages 28 - 29 IPF Technical Rules.
Applications to:- Goran Gunnarsson (Referee's Registrar)
e:mail- gorangun42@hotmail.com
Fax - 00 46 371 809 87
Copy to Heiner Koeberich (General Secretary )
e:mail- koeberich@bvdk.de
Fax - 00 49 696330 7116
Copy to John Stephenson(T.C. Chairman)
e:mail -stephensonjsy@supanet.com
Fax - 00 44 1534 758 188
JURY (Complaints to)
The Technical Committee received a complaint, as did the Disciplinary Committee, from a lifter who felt that he had been unfairly treated by the referee/s at the 2002 open World Bench Press Championships. He was prepared to produce a video tape of the particular lift in question.
Both Commitees have no jurisdiction in such matters. The "buck" stops with the Jury, whose job it is to see that the Technical Rules are being applied.
It is expected that should the Jury overturn referee/s decision - - IPF Technical Rules - - Jury. Rule 9. That it would be unanimous.text here
John Stephenson
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