2026 USAW Sport Performance Selection Procedures Released

COLORADO SPRINGS—USA Weightlifting today released an updated Selection Procedure Policy which applies to all international competitions that start between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2026. This policy represents a major revisioning of team selection, and was developed to prioritize the key outcomes of: 1) Olympic qualification, 2) Selection of athletes who can compete among the world’s best, 3) Earning medals at the World Championships and Olympic Games, and 4) Preparing athletes for success in international competition. Amongst the full details of how an athlete can earn their way into representing Team USA is a commitment from USAW to fully fund the participation of selected athletes to IWF Senior World Championships and Senior Pan American Championships.

The full 2026 Selection Procedure Policy is available here 

Any questions related to the Selection Procedure Policy should be directed to Senior Director of Sport Performance Mike Gattone at mike.gattone@usaweightlifting.org, National Teams Operations Lead Jenna Bohanski at jenna.bohanski@usaweightlifting.org, or Sport Performance Manager Sean Rigsby at Sean.Rigsby@usaweightlifting.org.  An updated National Team Program Eligibility and Participation Policy (how to qualify for the 2026 National Team Program) is expected to be released in the coming weeks.