The main aim of weightlifting is to lift heavier weights than anyone else; in order to do so, two main types of lift are performed, called the snatch and clean and jerk. Until 1972, another lift, called the press, was also used.

Although a form of arm lifting contest was included in the first of the modern Olympic Games at Athens in 1896, weightlifting as we know it now came into fruition at the Paris Olympics in 1924. Women have been competing in events since the Australian Olympics in Sydney in 2000.

The ExCel centre in London is hosting the 2012 weightlifting competitions and there are 15 gold medals available. One young hopeful for the Great Britain weightlifting team is Zoe Smith, from London. She set a massive 98 British records in 2008 and was named Athlete of the Year for 2009 - quite an honour, as the title is usually reserved for Olympic medallists.