Legendary champion Pirros Dimas (Greece) has been     appointed as a weightlifting ambassador.

     The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Pirros Dimas as an official Ambassador of our International Federation. This prestigious appointment is in recognition of his exceptional achievements in weightlifting, his high international profile and his many years of contribution to the promotion and development of our sport throughout the world.

    

   Pirros Dimas is a three-time Olympic champion who represented Greece at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Games. He then capped his prestigious career in his home country at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where he won a bronze medal. He is the most successful weightlifter in the history of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), as well as the most decorated athlete in his country (in all sports).

Having personal records in the snatch (180.5 kg), clean and jerk (215 kg) and total (392.5 kg), Dimas also became world champion three times (1993, 1995 and 1998). He was inducted into the Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 2009 and was a member of the Greek Parliament from 2012 to 2015.

   Currently, Pirros Dimas is a member of the IWF Executive Board and chairs the Innovation Committee of our International Federation.

The new weightlifting ambassador, a truly inspiring icon in Greece and in our sport, will now have the opportunity to reach a wider audience.

    “I am honored to receive this recognition and am truly grateful to have become the face of weightlifting for our fans on five continents. I take on this new role with a huge sense of responsibility as I want to do everything possible to best promote the sport I love,” said the legendary champion. “Moreover, I will also make every effort to reaffirm the power and value of weightlifting in the Olympic movement. Let's not forget that we were one of the nine founding sports of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens. We have a long and successful tradition!” Mr. Dimas added.

 

The Greek weightlifter recently traveled to Lausanne, Switzerland, where he had the opportunity to sign the Wall of Olympians at the Olympic House. To mark the occasion, IOC President Kirsty Coventry met the weightlifting champion at a ceremony also attended by International Weightlifting Federation President Mohammed Jaloud and International Weightlifting Federation Secretary General José Quiñones.

    “Our International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has produced many outstanding athletes in its 120 years of existence, and I am honored to be among those who have contributed to our rich heritage since the IWF was founded in 1905. In my various positions, and after finishing my sports career, I have always tried to give as much credit as possible to the sport. The title of ambassador is a consequence of these efforts. We know that not every child who starts playing sports will become a champion, but he or she will certainly become part of a happier, healthier world - and that remains what matters most!” – concluded Pyrros Dimas.

 

 

IWF Communications