Quick Guide: Weightlifting

Weightlifting is the purest test of human strength, but the sport is also highly technical. There are two techniques in Olympic weightlifting - the snatch and the clean and jerk - both performed by each athlete. The snatch is a technique in which the dumbbell is lifted above the head in one movement. The clean and jerk, as the name suggests, is a two-stage lift which enables the athlete to take more weight. The dumbbell is first lifted to shoulder height on the clean portion, then jerked over the head.

There are eight weight categories in the men's event, ranging from 56 kilograms to over 105kg. In the women's there are seven, starting at 48kg and going through to the over 75kg category. Lifters have three attempts at each weight. The scores from his best snatch and his best clean and jerk are then added to give his total score.

Total of 260 athletes - 170 men, 90 women.

Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Gymnasium