FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 7, 2021

USA Powerlifting Goes International after the removal from the International Powerlifting Federation 

Today USA Powerlifting is no longer a member of the International Powerlifting Federation [IPF]. The IPF President Gaston Parage called for an ‘Extraordinary’ Congress session in Stavanger, Norway to remove USA Powerlifting. The decision comes from a 2/3rds vote of the member nations that were present at the IPF. Of the 150+ member nations of the IPF, just 28 were present. And of those 28, only 23 voted to remove USA Powerlifting. 

The vote took place after USA Powerlifting Executives presented facts to the IPF Congress. These facts included raw data showing that USA Powerlifting performs 100% WADA tests of its National and International athletes and drug tests 18.9% of athletes at every level of competition, far exceeding any other member nation’s testing program. For example, in 2019 these tests numbered 3110 total tests, 720 WADA tests (206 in meet tests and 514 out of meet tests).

The IPF only focuses on a very small pool of international-level athletes for testing. Nations are expected to follow suit or simply not test at all. This is unacceptable to USA Powerlifting as testing is required at every level because all athletes deserve a clean platform. 

Pursuant to these facts, USA Powerlifting also proposed to follow the Olympic Model for testing. The Olympic model is currently in use across multiple IOC sports like hockey and basketball. Essentially, USA Powerlifting proposed to separate elite lifters at the world level from non-elite lifters at the local level. This is the same process whereby NBA athletes are not subject to WADA testing until they declare for the Olympic Games. They then enter the registered testing pool and follow WADA protocol. This system is proven, approved, and in place in other sports, yet the IPF denied this proposal and opted to remove USA Powerlifting completely.

This marks the first time in IPF history that a nation has been removed from the IPF for exceeding drug testing requirements. Past national suspensions have been for excessive doping. The list of nations suspended includes Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, India, Iran, and Uzbekistan. To reiterate, the aforementioned Federations were suspended for excessive doping failures and the IPF did not call for their removal from the IPF.

We are excited for our future now that we have been released from the rules and restrictions of the IPF. 

USA Powerlifting has the most exciting brand of powerlifting in the world and the world’s strongest drug-free powerlifting athletes. With our removal from the IPF, we now have the greatest opportunity in our history to transform the sport of powerlifting for both U.S. lifters and international lifters who want to compete with us. 

As always you can expect world-class venues, lighting, sound, and locations for USA Powerlifting events. We will be bringing all of this and a prize pool of $235,000 as we kick off the first year of the new Pro Series. 

The Pro Series competition structure is as follows:

USA Powerlifting Pro Card Status

• • Earn a Pro Card in Powerlifting (from 2021 Nationals)
    • Top 5 Open Raw Lifters (in each weight class) at Nationals

• All lifters at 2021 Virginia Pro also earn Pro Card (one time rule)

• • • Top 3 Open Equipped Lifters (in each weight class) at Nationals
  • Earn a Pro Card in Bench Press (from 2021 Nationals)
    • Top 3 Open at Nationals (in each weight class)

• USA Powerlifting Pro Card is required to compete in the Pro-Series Events

Pro Series Categories:

• Female Raw Powerlifting 
• Male Raw Powerlifting
• Female Equipped Powerlifting
• Male Equipped Powerlifting 
• Female Raw Bench Press
• Male Raw Bench Press
• Female Equipped Bench Press
• Male Equipped Bench Press
  

Earning Points in the Series:

• At a Pro Series event, you will earn points based on your overall placing in the best lifter rankings. You can accumulate points at the different Pro Series events. The specific scoring and points system details will be shared soon.

Qualifying for Arnold Finals:

• • Raw Powerlifting:
    • Points from 1 Pro Powerlifting Event + Points from Nationals (2 total events)
  • Equipped Powerlifting
    • Points from 1 Pro Powerlifting Event + Points from Nationals (2 total events)
  • Raw Bench Press:
    • Points from 1 Pro Bench Event + Points from Nationals (2 total events)
  • Equipped Bench Press:
    • Points from 1 Pro Bench Event + Points from Nationals (2 total events)

• A lifter can compete in multiple pro series categories if they desire, based on the above criteria

2022 Pro Series Schedule:

December 2021 Virginia Pro

March 2022: Arnold Sports Festival

June 2022: Nationals – Las Vegas, NV

• $1,000 for all Open Full Power Weight Class Winners (Raw & Equipped) + Best Lifter Bonus for (Lightweight / Middleweight / Heavyweight) 
• Open Bench: Prize Money for Top 3 by Formula (Female Raw, Female Equipped, Male Raw, Male Equipped)

June 2022: UBU Expo (Formerly Europa Games) – Dallas, TX

July 2022: UBU Expo (Formerly Europa Games) – Orlando, FL

August 2022: UBU Expo (Formerly Europa Games) – Phoenix, AZ

December 2022: Virginia Pro (tentative)

March 2023: Arnold Sports Festival (Pro Series Finals) 

• 20 Total Full Power / 20 Total Bench Press
  • Top point earners in the series invited to the Pro Series Finals at the Arnold Sports Festival:
    • Top 5 Female Raw
    • Top 5 Female Equipped
    • Top 5 Male Raw
    • Top 5 Male Equipped
  • Additional opportunities for top point earners will be shared soon.

Pro Series Finals – The Arnold Sports Festival – $65,000 in cash prizes + more

This is just the beginning of the new Pro Series. As the Pro Series progresses, we will have larger cash prizes, more incredible events, and innovative new approaches to the sport of powerlifting.

To all of our members, volunteers, and supporters; thank you for your 40+ years of belief in our purpose, values, and mission. Drug-free powerlifting will endure thanks to you.

To our brothers and sisters across the world who we have competed alongside, competed against, and forged incredible friendships with over the last 24 years; our drug-free platforms will always be open to you. We are confident that we will see each other on an international platform in the future!

USA Powerlifting remains committed to drug-free powerlifting at all levels of competition. Whether you compete at your local gym meet, State Championship, National or International championship, rest assured each event will be drug tested.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2021

USA Powerlifting Immediately Suspended From IPF For Drug Testing

(Anchorage, AK) USA Powerlifting received the judgment from the IPF Doping Hearing Panel. Despite our plea to allow nominated athletes to compete, much like the IOC and IPF did for Russia (ROC), The IPF has denied athletes the right to compete. We are essentially being suspended for too much drug testing and not for doping violations. A 12-month suspension for all USA Powerlifting members from IPF competitions is effective immediately.  This suspension only affects the IPF events(and all positions held in the IPF), it does not impact local, National or our Pro events.

For over 40 years USA Powerlifting has been America’s Choice for Drug-Free Strength Sport. We believe that fair play and a clean platform at every level is important above all else. We refuse to capitulate to the IPF’s new brand of powerlifting that allows doping to run rampant.

The biggest impact in this brave new world is on the athletes. For the sake of our athletes, we will continue to fight for what is right. We believe in drug testing at all levels so that everyone from the local level to the elite level has a fair play platform. We believe in targeted testing to catch cheaters. And we believe that in order to call yourselves drug-free, you actually have to conduct drug testing at all levels of competition.

With our suspension from the IPF we are now the World’s Choice for Drug-Free Strength Sport. We will continue to lead the sport in innovation by consistently providing the best powerlifting product in the world; from high-quality events with professional light, audio, and jumbo screens, to great accommodations and locations. Athletes compete with USA Powerlifting because they are treated well and have access to the best drug-free powerlifting platform in the world.

We are deeply disappointed in this decision by the IPF. Our hearts go out to our National Team members who have had the rug pulled out from under them. We released the announcement of our new Pro Series on social media earlier this week. Details will be coming soon, but one of the first details we want to share is that the monies previously allocated for participation in the IPF events will now be given directly back to the athletes. This new level of competition will pay out over $200,000 to our Pro Athletes and raise the level of competition to even greater heights.

To all our members and most of all to our athletes; thank you for your commitment to our purpose, values, and mission. Because of you, our future is bright and because of you, we will continue to fight the good fight and ensure you have the best powerlifting experience possible.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 15, 2021

(Anchorage, AK) We want to update our members and follow-up to the July 30, 2021 Press Release regarding the IPF charges of USA Powerlifting with failing to comply with the WADA Code, and the threat of fines and suspension.

As anticipated, the IPF made new changes to their Doping Hearing Panel (DHP) procedures in order to rush to judgement:

• Arbitration Judge appointed by IPF, 1 day notice
• Arbitration Judge confirmed by IPF, 2 day notice
• Arbitration Day/Time set, 3 days notice
• USAPL Responds to Arbitration with following letter

We have responded to the DHP/assigned arbitrator, consisting of CCES and one individual DHP member,  that we neither plan to participate in a process which will rubber stamp the IPF charges, nor will we comply with a system which purports to further clean sport but which, in reality, does nothing to deter doping other than among the very most elite athletes.

Today (August 15, 2021) the IPF released a statement on their social media channels regarding ‘transparency’ in their anti-doping program. To the contrary, the IPF is anything but transparent. (Merriam-Webster Definition of Transparent:  characterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning business practices) This seems to be at odds with their system, in which their testing plan is secret, their proposed number of tests is undisclosed, who has been tested and when they were tested is never released, and who has been found positive is confidential.  

This ‘secrecy’ is not a WADA requirement as other international federations and National Anti  Doping Organizations (NADOs) actively publish test data.  The IPF was the testing authority at the 2021 Collegiate Nationals, but refused to release the names of the athletes they tested.  After weeks of attempted requests for this information, they finally released the names, but also confirmed they would no longer share names of tested lifters with member federations, USA Powerlifting has retained the email correspondence of these events.

Additionally, USA Powerlifting filed a complaint with WADA against the IPF for disclosing confidential athlete information. Confidential data was emailed by IPF President Gaston Parage to a wide audience which violates WADA code. The IPF President should never have been in possession of the data which he shared. He is not on the IPF Anti-Doping Commission, not on the IPF Doping Hearing Panel, not on the IPF Medical Committee, and not on the IPF TUE Committee. (Violation of WADA Principle 12.2 of the International Standards for Testing and Investigations & Section 4.1 of the International Standards of Results Management.)

WADA acknowledged our complaint, but declined our offer to provide further supporting documentation of the IPF’s history of breaching confidentiality.  WADA declined to inform USA Powerlifting what action was taken with the IPF for the violation of  athlete confidentiality.  The IPF has not followed up with USA Powerlifting on what they are doing to remedy the breach of confidentiality, again no transparency by the IPF.  At the same time, the IPF demands USA Powerlifting hand over full medical records of our athletes who have obtained TUEs. USA Powerlifting refuses to breach the confidentiality of U.S. athletes’ medical information and will not now, or ever, turn over this sensitive information.

To conclude while USA Powerlifting is subject to punishment by the IPF  for drug testing, the IPF

1. Has zero transparency of their drug testing program
2. Reduces overall testing
3. Does not require Member Nations to drug test
4. Breaches confidentiality of athletes
5. Continues to change rules to satisfy their agenda

As stated in the prior Press Releases:  USA Powerlifting remains committed to drug testing at all levels.  

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 30, 2021

USA Powerlifting Continues The Fight For Drug Free Powerlifting: Threatened With Fines and Suspensions

We will continue to openly share updates on the challenges with the IPF. USA Powerlifting exists to provide the best drug-free powerlifting platform in the world for our members and will do whatever it takes to preserve a clean platform.

High-level overview:

• The International Powerlifting Federation EC (IPF EC) has recently voted to appoint only one individual to hear cases before their Doping Hearing Panel (DHP).
• The IPF EC then sent USA Powerlifting to the IPF DHP for conducting drug tests at the local level without the IPF’s authority to be heard by the one IPF EC appointee on the DHP.
• The IPF has threatened USA Powerlifting with fines, suspension, and removal from all committee assignments if we continue to drug test contrary to what the IPF EC has demanded of USA Powerlifting.
• The proposed sanctions include withdrawal or refusing entries to rightfully nominated athletes.
• USA Powerlifting remains committed to drug testing at all levels.

(Anchorage, Alaska) Below you will find the letter USA Powerlifting received from the IPF last week, it is a referral to the IPF DHP. This ‘panel’ has historically been presided over by a group of members, as the name implies. However, within the last month a member of the IPF Executive proposed that the IPF DHP be reduced to only one person to serve as judge and jury.. This proposal was approved by majority vote of the IPF EC and is now instituted. USA Powerlifting will be judged by a single member of the Doping Hearing Panel appointed by the IPF EC. This concerning move is no coincidence and demonstrates the lengths that the IPF EC will go to circumvent due process and their own constitutional bylaws to serve their personal agenda. 

This referral to the IPF DHP is happening specifically because USA Powerlifting does not consent to being governed by an international body that declares itself in charge of all aspects of drug testing at every level. The IPF has mandated  that all countries, if they choose to drug test, must comply with all aspects of the 2021 WADA Code of which USA Powerlifting is not a signatory.  The IPFs interpretation of the WADA code demands that we support the entities ‘approved by WADA with usurious fees, with no input into our own testing program or knowledge of the athletes tested (no transparency of actual testing). This would so severely limit USA Powerlifting’s drug testing that the idea of a clean platform becomes laughable. 

These changes are driven by recent changes codified by WADA in the most recent version of the Code, implemented January 1, 2021. Through this document, WADA, a monopoly driven organization, is attempting to assume control of all drug testing at every level. They have recently made public statements regarding the control of drug testing at the collegiate and professional level, presumably in all sports. The introduction to the 2021 WADA Code speaks to their power grab for all anti doping efforts by prohibiting any national federation or sporting organization from conducting ANY testing outside of WADA’s control. Arguments for such a centrally controlled system cite problems in other sports, such as Olympic Weightlifting, and other nations with national doping programs. In short, because some are cheats, everyone must be, and a worldwide monopoly and government is justified.  

The sobering facts about IPF drug testing, or lack thereof, are not usually subject to scrutiny, until now. The numbers tell the truth. So much so, the IPF no longer publicly shares its drug testing information.  To be clear, the IPF’s ‘drug testing program’ has zero transparency.  The IPF wants to control our drug testing when they are unable to do a satisfactory job at the international level or even require all nations to test.  USA Powerlifting will not stoop to the low bar set by the IPF’s new way of “drug tested powerlifting.”

Drug Testing Facts

• USA Powerlifting conducted more drug tests
  than every other IPF member nation combined in 2019
• The IPF stopped drug testing world records
• The IPF does not require member Nations to drug test
• The IPF is more worried about appearing ‘compliant’ on paper
  for WADA than to actually perform adequate drug testing

Compliance with the IPF mandates would, at best, result in either financial insolvency for USA Powerlifting due to the outrageous fees of the drug testing monopoly, or a reduction of drug testing by approximately 90%. Such a system would result in the elimination of drug testing at the local level and the testing of a select handful of elite level athletes. We firmly stand by our belief that a clean platform at every level is absolutely necessary for the ethos of drug free powerlifting and that anything less than this is a detriment to clean sport and fair play.  

USA Powerlifting’s Executive Committee met with the IPF EC on a Skype call two weeks ago concerning our position and we provided options. In short, we need to continue testing at the local level and proposed a split federation as an alternative. Whereas the IPF and WADA are demanding 100% compliance, citing the IOC as the reason, we detailed the de facto split when professional athletes are concerned and suggested this as a model that has been acceptable to the IOC and which apparently receives WADA blessing. In short, professional athletes are allowed to participate in their respective professional leagues; i.e., NBA, NHL, Pro Tennis, etc, which are not WADA compliant until it is time for the Olympics. At that time, they cross over to Team USA and are subject to all WADA-defined testing requirements. The IPF and their drug testing vendor, CCES, rejected this idea as unheard of, and not WADA compliant.

As you will read in the letter, the IPF continues to threaten us with fines, suspension, and removal from all committee assignments. What is most telling is that the IPF threatens athletes’ ability to compete. This includes athletes, duly nominated by a nation which is, at this point, in good standing. It is clear that the IPF does not believe in being innocent until proven guilty, and that they will stop at nothing to penalize the athletes they claim to serve as punishment for administrative disagreements between federations. This is proven by the retroactive denial of world records at the 2020 Arnold Sports Festival and their refusal to argue the case before the International Court of Arbitration for Sport.

As stated previously, it is difficult to imagine that it is possible to drug test too much. It is difficult to comprehend that the IPF views countries who do no testing as ‘WADA compliant.’ It is also hard to imagine that WADA can appoint itself in charge of drug testing at every level and in every country and in every sport and define its method as the only acceptable method and all others as unethical and illegal. Perhaps we have fundamentally different values.  

FAQ

Q. When is the hearing scheduled for? 

A. USA Powerlifting has not been informed of a hearing date at the time of this press release.

Q. Will everyone be able to compete? 

A. Athletes will continue to compete as normal at all USA Powerlifting meets. What we do not know at this time is if the IPF will bar those athletes already nominated for IPF level events. The IPF’s letter has threatened to punish the athletes.

Q. How does this affect current team members? 

A. Unfortunately, we do not have the answer to this question. USA Powerlifting is currently an IPF member nation in good standing and has nominated our athletes accordingly.  At the time of this press release, the IPF has accepted the nominations. With that said, we have no confidence that the IPF will not punish the lifters by denying their entry to an IPF event, as was similar with the case of the IPF retroactively denying World Records at the 2020 Arnold Sports Festival.

Q. As a member of a USA Powerlifting National Team, what should I do?

A. Proceed with caution. Look for refundable flights. Purchase travel insurance. Contact your head coach with any additional questions. 

NOTICE OF CHARGE AGAINST USAPL

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2021

USA Powerlifting Awaits Confirmation From the IPF Regarding Athlete Nominations For International Events

USA Powerlifting is ready and prepared to begin the athlete nomination process for the 2021 NAPF Championships and the 2021 IPF World Championships. However, due to unresolved issues with the IPF, it is unclear whether or not the IPF will penalize athletes we nominate and block them from competing in international events. Ensuring our athletes have a safe and unobstructed path to competition is our top priority.  USA Powerlifting remains a member of the IPF in good standing and is calling upon the IPF to confirm that our athletes will be able to compete without fear of withdrawal in the future.

Below is an excerpt from an email sent to the IPF Executive from President Larry Maile:

“…..The USA Powerlifting Executive requests this decision formally, by the entire IPF Executive Board rather than by informal email discussion of the officers.  Either the athletes may participate or they may not, but a firm decision is needed by the 26th or we cannot put together the team…”

We will continue to update our membership on the status of this situation.

###