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Vice President's Report
March 20, 2001
Larry Maile, Ph.D.
USAPL V.P.
I.P.F. Vice President, North America
It has been some time since my last report to the membership, and it has been a busy time. Perhaps the biggest news it the return of a newsletter to our membership. With this issue, we have turned a corner with information to you. Our newsletter will contain meet results, rankings, when they are entered, upcoming events, and features. Among these will be regular information from active committees, such as the Coaching Committee, a page of information on Medical Concerns, updates on Technical Information. We will also try to include minutes of NGB meetings, and E.C. conference calls, and information of interest to Novice and Beginning lifters. It seems like a great beginning.
We have also made some progress internationally in opening up opportunities for our lifters. This year there are three new meets being offered. While one of them, The Student's Cup, for University Students, conflicted with our collegiate meet schedule, it is a possibility for succeeding years. We will also have a Master Bench Press Worlds for the first time in April, in Luxemburg, and a Sub-Junior World Championships for lifters 18 and under. This competition is in recognition of the difficulty of teenage lifters in competing with those who are older, i.e. 20+. The first Sub-Junior Worlds will be held in Sotchi, Russia, a resort area on the Black Sea. We have also been fortunate enough in improving relations with our fellow foreign federations to have had the honor of attending, and lifting in the Russian Nationals. It was a fantastic chance to see some of the greatest lifters in the world compete. We have invited select lifters from Russia, and several other countries including Sweden, Taiwan, and Japan to attend meets in the U.S. this year to further our developing friendship. Perhaps the biggest limitation is cost. Many of our friends overseas do not have the resources to travel here. They clearly have the desire though.
We are actively seeking corporate partners to assist in strengthening the USAPL budget. We have some firm leads, but could certainly use help contacting others and preparing both our membership for these changes and materials for potential sponsors.
This year marks the first North American Championships, recognized by the I.P.F. It will be held in Minneapolis the 19th and 20th of May, and lifters from all the member nations in the I.P.F. North American Region have been invited. This competition will include Open, Master, and Junior divisions for National Teams, and others are also encouraged to participate as individuals. We hope that this will give more lifters the chance to watch, and to lift with the regions best.
I would like to close with a comment on the upcoming World Games and the effort for Olympic Recognition. While powerlifting has been a part of the World Games since their inception, this year is the first year that the World Games Association and the International Olympic Committee have agreed to a formal relationship (see Press Release, also in this issue). Sports participating this year will be observed by members of I.O.C. for appropriateness for inclusion in the Olympic Games, with those selected receiving Demonstration Sport status in Athens in 2004. We will get to show the excitement that is powerlifting, and will try for the best.
We look forward to your input on our initial effort on the newsletter.
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