New Olympic Weightlifting Program for Chicago Youth

By Paul Slomski, WSC Contributor

World Sport Chicago (WSC), USA Weightlifting and the Chicago Park District (CPD) have joined together to provide a series of Olympic weightlifting programs for boys and girls, age 12-18, in Chicago scheduled to begin in March 2010 and run through the Fall  The program will provide local kids with a great foundation for fitness, offer them a competitive and energetic outlet and introduce them to the discipline and dedication it takes to maintain regular weight training.

Mike Gattone, Director of High Performance and Coaching Education for USA Weightlifting is excited about the program, “This is one of the first of its kind program in the United States, and with the partnership between WSC, CPD, and USA Weightlifting, probably the largest.  As the National Governing Body for the sport in America, USA Weightlifting’s Mission is to grow and develop the sport in this country, and as such is very excited about this partnership. The sport has a great history of athlete production and hosting competitions in Chicago, and this is another great part of that legacy. We are proud that we will be contributing to the health and lifestyle of these young participants, and we also hope that we may find some future Olympians and International competitors in Chicago!”

USA Weightlifting will provide CPD coaches and instructors with training and certification in Olympic weightlifting techniques and training methods.  The three programs will progress from Spring thru the  Fall and build on the participants’ knowledge, techniques, strength and conditioning.  Programs one and two will meet one hour a day, twice a week for ten weeks then transition to a third program in the Fall that will be offered three times per week for one hour for those athletes who wish to continue and prepare for competition.

The objectives of the program will provide kids with another option to engage in a sport that will help build self confidence, self discipline and respect in themselves, the sport and their competitors.  Additionally CPD is able to establish a competitive Olympic weightlifting program that will provide opportunities nationwide for Chicago youth to compete in the sport. Look for more details and registration information in early March at World Sport Chicago and the Chicago Park District.