Published on: 2026-10-16
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
October 16 is celebrated as World Weightlifting Day. We explain how this sport is developing in Moscow.
Weightlifting originated in ancient times and took its modern form at the end of the 19th century. Today, it involves lifting a barbell overhead in various ways. Over the course of this sport’s existence, exercises, rules, and weight categories have been repeatedly changed. Currently, the main exercises are the snatch and the clean and jerk. They differ in technique and in the demands placed on athletes.
In the capital, more than 9,300 people are engaged in weightlifting. There are 338 specially equipped sports zones in the city, 33 of which are managed by institutions subordinate to the capital Department of Sports.
Athletes are trained by four institutions within the Moscomsport system: the Moscow City Physical Culture and Sports Association (MGFSO), the Physical Culture and Sports Association “Youth of Moscow,” the Moscow Olympic Reserve School, and the Moscow Comprehensive Sports School of the Olympic Reserve “Sever” (MKSShOR “Sever”). More than 500 people train at these organizations. Among them are 42 Masters of Sport of Russia, three Masters of Sport of International Class, and one Honored Master of Sport of Russia. The athletes are coached by 35 trainers and instructors. Seven of them hold the honorary title of “Honored Coach of Russia.”
Experts recommend starting weightlifting no earlier than nine years old. You can sign up for entrance tests to enroll in the sports schools of Moscomsport on the portal “Moscow Sport” in the section “Services — entrance exams”.
In 2025–2026, more than 270 weightlifting events were held in Moscow. In 2026, the city’s sports team includes 220 athletes, 48 coaches and specialists, and 61 Moscow athletes are part of the Russian national team.
This year, the capital’s weightlifters won 97 medals at competitions of various levels: 27 gold, 28 silver, and 42 bronze.
The capital continues to develop infrastructure for weightlifting. Thus, during the implementation of the Moscow City State Program “Sport of Moscow” in 2025–2026, the MGFSO building was completely renovated. It is located at 53 Friedrich Engels Street. Meanwhile, a major renovation of the building and modernization of the territory are underway at the MKSShOR “Sever”. The works are taking place at 13a Lobnenskaya Street.
To learn how the capital has changed over the past years, what initiatives currently being implemented to make the lives of city residents even more comfortable, and what awaits Moscow and its inhabitants in the near future, one can find in the large-scale special project on the portal mos.ru, dedicated to the development of key areas of Moscow. Among them are transport, industry, healthcare, education, sports, and construction.
On the project’s page Sport Information is provided about the reconstruction of dozens of historical sports facilities, including the Olympic complex “Luzhniki”, the ski complex “Vorobyovy Gory”, and the equestrian complex “Bitsa”, as well as sports infrastructure available to every city resident.
Quickly get the main news on the official channels of the city of Moscow in messengers “Max”and “Telegram”.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.