Weightlifting has been a part of the Olympics since 1920, but women’s weightlifting didn’t start until 2000. The weight classes have evolved from five men’s events at the start to eight today along with the seven women’s events.  The US has been one of the stronger countries over time, winning 43 medals (2nd only to the Soviet Union’s 62).  The US has struggled to qualify lifters in the last few years with only three going this year compared to six in Beijing and ten in Atlanta.

The Team:

This year’s team is made up of three athletes. Kendrick Farris will compete in the men’s 85kg division while Holley Mangold and Sarah Robles will compete in the women’s 75kg division.

Links are to twitter accounts for the athletes.

USA Weightlifting
Men:
Kendrick Farris*

Women:
Holley Mangold
Sarah Robles
** – Was on team in 2008

Schedule:

In weightlifting the competitors get three attempts in each of the categories (the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk). Combine the best lifts in each category to get final scores. If there is a tie, the lowest bodyweight of the lifters wins.

All Times ET
Friday August 3rd
5 AM – Men’s 85kg – Group B
7:30 AM – Women’s 75kg – Group B
10:30 AM – Women’s 75kg – Group A
2 PM – Men’s 85kg – Group A

Past Results:

As the only returning competitor from Beijing Kendrick Farris will look to top his 8th place finish. He finished 19th at the latest World Weightlifting Championship. As a team the US has only won two medals since 1984, a bronze and a gold in the inaugural women’s event in Sydney. The US has had three lifters finish 6th in the last two Olympics, but nothing higher than that.

It doesn’t look like the US is a strong competitor in London, but the three athletes will have a chance to put up some good numbers and inspire a stronger team in the future.