- The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) is a permanent non-profit organization composed of 189 affiliated National Federations worldwide, from all five Continents
- Weightlifting was one of the first sports included already in the first Modern Olympic Games 1896
- The IWF was founded in 1905, being one of the oldest International Sport Federations
- The IWF is the world controlling body for weightlifting
- The IWF is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the sole controlling body for international weightlifting
- The IWF is a member of SportAccord and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF)