Pyrros Dimas, USAW Amicably Part Ways

COLORADO SPRINGS—Four time Olympic medalist Pyrros Dimas has decided to depart from working with USA Weightlifting after nine years with the national governing body. The split is amicable, with neither Dimas nor USAW sharing any bad blood, and a door remains open for Dimas to assist USAW in the future. Dimas first joined USAW in 2017 as the Technical Director and has assisted the organization, and especially Senior Director of Sport Performance Mike Gattone, through two Olympic quads. USAW does not intend to make a coaching hire with the departure.

Dimas had a front-row seat as the U.S. has climbed the international ranks in recent years. Since 2017, senior women’s teams have finished within the top-5 at the World Championships seven times—including claiming the title in 2025—while the men improved from a 28th-place finish in 2015 to a third place finish in 2025.

“Pyrros and I started on this journey with USA Weightlifting as a team in early 2017,” Gattone said. “The opportunity to work with him was one of the factors that drew me back to working for our NGB. Pyrros was a strong voice for many of the cornerstones we still follow in the Sports Performance Department now: Professionalism, knowledge, consistency, hard-work, and high aspirations. Pyrros brought a level of elite performance that truly helped shape the programs and policies that have guided us through two Olympic cycles of incredible success. That mindset and energy will always remain a part of the fabric of USA Weightlifting Sports Performance.

“Personally, Pyrros has become like a brother to me,” Gattone added. “For the last nine years we have shared a journey to push and drive our U.S. system to a higher place. I have learned an immeasurable amount working with Pyrros and will always be grateful to him for all he has given. I look forward to maintaining a deep relationship and hopefully working together more in the future.”

While Dimas was on the USA Weightlifting coaching staff, the United States set a new standard for American weightlifting on the international stage. Four Americans earned Olympic medals with Olivia Reeves’ gold and Hampton Morris’ bronze in Paris, and Kate Vibert’s (formerly Nye) silver and Sarah Robles’ bronze in Tokyo. Across the previous eight Olympic Games, Americans won just three medals. With Pyrros in USAW’s corner, U.S. athletes earned 192 World Championship medals and celebrated 25 world champions across the youth, junior and senior levels.

At the regional level, Dimas aided U.S. athletes as they earned 266 senior Pan-American Championship medals (112 gold) and 44 Pan-American Championship crowns. The 45 medals in 2023 and 44 medals in 2019 were the most the United States has earned at senior international competitions this century.

“Since moving to the United States in 2017 to work with USA Weightlifting, it has been my great honor to serve this community. As I close this chapter of my professional journey, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and pride,” Dimas said. “To the athletes: I am incredibly happy with everything we have achieved together. Seeing the growth, the records, and the medals has been rewarding, but watching your development as competitors has been the true highlight. I am so proud of each of you for your dedication and your spirit. To the personal coaches: Success in this sport is never a solo effort. I want to deeply thank the personal coaches for their tireless work and their spirit of cooperation. Our collaboration was the key to moving the American flag back toward the top of the international podium. Looking forward, I want to close this chapter with USA Weightlifting in the best possible way—focusing on the excellence we built and the friendships that will remain. Thank you for welcoming me into the United States weightlifting family.”

“While we are winding down our formal engagement of Pyrros, he will always hold a special place in the hearts and history of USA Weightlifting,” said Matt Sicchio, President and CEO of USA Weightlifting. “This is a mutual decision on very good terms following several heartfelt conversations about balancing life, location, and the needs of USA Weightlifting’s National Team Program. We are grateful for Pyrros’ service to our team and our athletes. On a personal note, I appreciate his warm welcome when I arrived in 2022 and the friendship we’ve built since. He has been a tremendous asset for our team and we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”