Dr. Michael Irani Becomes Third Interim IWF President of 2020

It was October 13, of this year when the IWF Executive Board met in the absence of their Interim President Ursula Papandrea to vote to replace her with Thailand’s Major General Intarat Yodbangtoey. Just one day later, Dr. Michael Irani was voted in as his replacement.

The Irani move marks the fourth President the IWF has seen since January 2020, marking a year of scandal in the leadership of the IWF.

The year began with Tamas Ajan at the head, but he was forced to step down after a documentary revealed allegations that he was involved in a cover up in a doping and financial scandal.

Ursula Garza Papandrea stepped in, and at first appeared as if she could do the job.

She wanted changes such as the IWF Athletes Commission in place, and she also reinstated the IWF Anti-Doping Commission, that included partnering with the International Testing Agency (ITA).

Papandrea’s replacement was Intarat Yodbangtoey, who resigned after just a day on the job. Professor Richard McLaren issued a report that indicated Yodbangtoey was alleged to have been involved in a bribery scam for votes to become President.

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BWL Statement following the IWF’s decision to remove Ursula Papandrea and appoint Thailand's Intarat Yodbangtoey as new Interim President: On behalf of British Weight Lifting, we would like to strongly express our huge disappointment at the decision to change the leadership. BWL believe that the IWF has to be fully committed to implement key changes within the sport demanded by the IOC and many Member Federations, particularly in the areas of governance, anti-doping reform and athlete representation, which were particularly highlighted as lacking in the McLaren report. The Executive Board are clearly failing the sport, its Member Federations and most importantly its athletes and has done so for many years. We would urge them to step down with immediate effect and start a new electoral process with independent oversight and allowing for ethically eligible candidates and a more appropriate constitution that will provide the IWF with an opportunity to re-build its reputation. To read the full statement please click here https://britishweightlifting.org/article/bwl-statement-following-the-iwf-s-decision-to-remove-ursula-papandrea @ashleymetcalfebwl
A post shared by British Weight Lifting (@britishwl) on Oct 14, 2020 at 9:47am PDT

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and USA Weightlifting weighed in, as did the IWF Athletes Commission, all calling for a no confidence board with the IWF.

As we previously reported, USA Weightlifting has already expressed serious concerns about the changes in leadership, prior to the addition of Dr. Irani. Now a new change is in place, and their concern for the direction of the sport is only likely to grow.

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Head to our bio link to read our letter to the Weightlifting community and our call to fellow @iwfnet Member Federations to demand the IWF take action urgently to address needed reforms in the areas of anti-doping, governance and Athlete representation. We will not rest until these reforms are addressed equitably and ethically. #CleanSport #FairPlay #USAW
A post shared by USA Weightlifting (@usa_weightlifting) on Oct 14, 2020 at 7:42pm PDT

Yesterday, Dr. Irani, a member of the IWF medical committee since 1992, was asked to step in. He is being noted as the Interim President.

It’s not just the IWF that is calling him an Interim President. In a statement released by Irani, he noted he does not intend to run for the role in the future.

“I am grateful to the IWF Executive Board for entrusting me with the Presidency on an interim basis. I do not intend to stand as a candidate for the IWF President position in the future, so I will be able to focus fully on the reforms leading up to a clear and transparent IWF Congress.”

In his statement he also noted his gratitude towards the Member Federations, IWF EB, and Commissions, for their “commitment to anti-doping.” He also nodded to the IWF Constitution.

It is clear Irani’s goal while serving as Interim President will continue on the path of reform. His release indicated he’s pleased the IWF EB will be extending their partnership until the end of the 2024 Olympics. These acts are in line with his extensive experience in fighting doping in the athletic community on the world stage.