British Success Great Britain won the first Olympic medal in weightlifting when Launceston Elliot lifted 71kg in one hand. The last medal to be won by Great Britain in weightlifting was by David Mercer who won Bronze in 1984 for the Middle-heavyweight category. For both lifts, the competitors lift long metal bars with metal weights attached at either end. Weights vary from 0.25 kg to 25 kg and vary in colour according to weight, red is the heaviest and 2.5 kg is black. Competitors decide at which weight to begin and at which subsequent 2.5 kg intervals to continue.
All competitors have three attempts at each lift.
The weightlifter lifting the highest aggregate total from the two lifts wins. In the case of a tie, the competitor with the lowest body weight wins. In the snatch, the lifter takes a wide arm position on the bar and raises the weight above his head without stopping in one movement. He must hold the weight motionless until the referee gives the signal for it to be put down. The lift is disallowed if the bar is dropped from any height above the waist.