The weightlifting competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo took place from 24 July to 4 August 2021 at the Tokyo International Forum.
The number of weightlifters at these Games was reduced to 196, down from 260 in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Furthermore, many countries had reduced squads, and four were excluded from weightlifting at these Games due to punishments given as a result of high numbers of historic doping offenses.
The total gold medal count was reduced from 15 to 14, with one men's event being eliminated.
In July 2018, IWF announced new official weight categories.
During the women's +87 competition, Laurel Hubbard made history by becoming the first transgender woman to compete in the Olympics.
Doping in weightlifting was highlighted during the Games due to historic problems in the sport. Due to corruption, failed reforms of the International Weightlifting Federation, and doping problems, the IOC is threatening to drop weightlifting entirely from the Olympics unless substantial reforms are made to the sport.
Laurel Hubbard became the first openly transgender woman to compete in the Olympics. Her participation in the womenâÂÂs heavyweight class sparked controversy over whether natal males have biological advantages in female sport.