LSUS awarded 2005 Pan Am Weightlifting Championships 08/13/03

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - The Pan American Weightlifting Congress awarded the 2005 Pan American Weightlifting Championships to LSUS. Dr. Kyle Pierce, director of the LSUS USA Weightlifting Center, said the competition will draw from 150 to 200 athletes from the Americas and Caribbean islands.

Pierce said 21 or 22 countries will send teams of up to 15 lifters to the championships, along with a cadre of coaches, trainers and other support personnel. This will not be the first time LSUS has hosted an international competition.

"LSUS hosted the North American, Central American and Caribbean Island Championships in 1996 and 2000," Pierce said. "We have also hosted 13 USA Weightlifting National Championships."

At the meeting, Pierce was re-elected to the Pan American Weightlifting Scientific and Research Committee. He will host a scientific meeting for coaches in connection with the 2005 championships. Pierce is also a member of the International Weightlifting Federation Scientific and Research Committee and is a member of USA Weightlifting's Board of Directors, Coaching Committee and Scientific Committee.