Ever thought of Weightlifting and the London 2012 Olympic Games?  

You could be part of the London 2012 Talent Transfer Initiative..........

There have recently been some examples of retired athletes or athletes just not quite making it successfully transferring their athletic talents to another “like” sport. . Weightlifting is looking to provide “second chance” opportunities for athletes with transferable skills to switch sports and make a rapid transition towards podium success in London 2012.

 Joanne Calvino pictured here transferred successfully from diving and represented England at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006

Why might a power based athletes be interested in Talent Transfer to weightlifting?T

There are a number of reasons an elite athletes’s involvement in top level sport may have ceased. However, participation in a Talent Transfer Programme may provide them with an opportunity to extend their sporting career.  

For example:

• They may not have been in a sport of “best fit” i.e. their talent characteristics (physical, physiological, technical, tactical, perceptual, motor) were not fully maximised
• Government funding became ring fenced for Olympic programmes
• Their career ended through injury
• They specialised early in their sporting career and have been unable to achieve the success they thought might be possible; or quite simply…
• They decided to retire from a long, dedicated career in one sport, but are curious to explore new opportunities in another “like” sport, especially with London 2012 now on the horizon

If you or someone you know falls in to one of these categories, there is a good chance that your / their career may have ended prematurely and we would therefore encourage you / them to participate in the Weightlifting Talent Transfer scheme.  If you yourself are interested or know any ex-athletes from gymnastics or other power/ strength based sports who might be, an application form and. further details can be obtained from Brian Cunniffe, whoes contact details are below.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Talent Transfer Project Leader Brian Cunniffe, Sport Science Officer, World Class Lifting, on MB:  07960199899 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Please note that any athlete still currently competing internationally in their sport would only be invited to a talent transfer day with the full agreement of their NGB.