Topic: Weightlifting in the 1960s

[Shaun Le Conte]

I've been spending some time lately typing out results from Nationals in the 1960s and some questions come to mind. I suppose they reveal my naivety about what life was like back then and my youth (I think I am still young, the teenagers might disagree)

1) How much more difficult and expensive was it to get to national events? Even in 2008, I cringe at the thought of flying to let's say, BC, or driving to Montreal. Not that I don't like those places it's just that the process of getting there is something I don't enjoy. Any stories about week long journeys cross country to get to a meet?

2) How difficult was it to adjust to the IWF rule change of 1964 that allowed the bar to come in contact with the thighs during lifting? Did lifters adjust and start "brushing" right away or were the old school lifters generally left behind? Same with the split. I figure most guys that splt, continued to split while a new generation only learned to squat.