Olympic Weightlifting 101: Terminology & definitions

At first glance, Olympic weightlifting seems like a straightforward sport. Athletes have six attempts to post the highest combined weight total in two different lifts. But the reality is this classic Olympic sport, which was first contested at the Games in 1896, is incredibly complex - both in theory and practice.

To help you get a better understanding of the sport and its accompanying terminology, check out our glossary below.

Attempt

When an athlete attempts to execute a lift in the snatch or clean and jerk. In competition, athletes are allowed three attempts in each lift (for a total of six attempts) to post the highest total weight. One successful attempt on each movement is required to qualify for a total. 

Bombing out

When an athlete misses all three attempts in the snatch or the clean and jerk, therefore failing to post a total. An athlete must complete one successful lift in each movement to record a total; if the athlete fails to execute a lift in the snatch, they are eliminated from the competition.

Clean and jerk

One of the two competition lifts in Olympic weightlifting. In the clean and jerk, the athlete moves the barbell from the ground to their chest, and then from their chest to an overhead position with the arms and hips fully locked out.

Olympic total

The combined total of the heaviest successful snatch and clean and jerk results by an athlete (in kilograms). The total determines the athlete’s final ranking in the competition.

Platform

The competition area where the athlete performs their lifts.

Press out

A common fault that leads to a “no lift” decision by judges, a press out occurs when an athlete bends their arms when receiving the bar overhead and then tries to press the bar up and straighten their arms. 

Snatch

Along with the clean and jerk, the snatch is one of the two competition lifts in Olympic weightlifting. In this lift, the athlete must take the bar from the ground into an overhead position in one movement. The snatch is always attempted first at weightlifting competitions.

Split jerk

A common technique used in the ‘jerk’ portion of the clean and jerk, where the athlete drops under the barbell with one leg forward and one leg back as they receive the weight.

Squat jerk

A lesser used but not uncommon technique in the clean and jerk, the squat jerk sees an athlete drop under the barbell in a squat position, before standing the weight up. 

Three white lights

An audience and athlete will know if their lift was deemed successful by the judges if three white lights are illuminated on the judges’ desk (three red lights indicate an unsuccessful lift). A two-thirds majority is sufficient for a successful lift.