HOW WEIGHTLIFTING WORKS AT THE OLYMPICS

The goal of weightlifting is simple: to clear more weight than anybody else.

There are two types of lifts - the snatch, and the clean and jerk. The successful lifts are combined for a total amount.

In the case of two lifters achieving the same weight, the lighter athlete is declared the winner, with a three-man judging panel assessing each lift.

They give a white light for approval and a red one if a lift is judged illegal, with the majority ruling in case of a split decision.

Athletes get three attempts at each lift.

In the snatch, the barbell is lifted in one continuous movement from the platform to above the competitor's head.

The clean and jerk is a dual-stage lift, with the barbell first taken from the platform to the chest, and then to arms' length over the head.

In both cases, the barbell needs to stay in the final position for at least two seconds.

Lifting is performed on a 4m x 4m x 10cm platform, using a steel bar with rubber-coated discs of different weights.

Competitors usually wear a tight-fitting leotard and special weightlifting shoes designed to stabilise the lifter, and they are also allowed to use chalk and gloves on their hands and a belt to support their torso.

In London, 156 men will compete in eight weight divisions, ranging from 56kg to 105kg plus, while 104 women will fight it out in seven categories - the heaviest for those weighing 75kg or more.