Topic: News: New weightlifting job for Rezazadeh

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Link

New weightlifting job for Rezazadeh

Rezazadeh's term as Iranian national team's manager was marred by several doping cases among Iranian weightlifters.
Former world and Olympic champion Hossein Rezazadeh has been officially introduced as the caretaker of Iran's Weightlifting Federation.

Rezazadeh, who replaced Bahram Afsharzadeh, will be caretaker until a new president is elected for the federation.

The new appointment comes a few days after Afsharzadeh decided to suspend Iran's national team, coached by Rezazadeh.

The 2000 and 2004 Olympics champion was appointed as the manager and head coach of Iran's national weightlifting team a few months after he ended his weightlifting career due to an injury in July 2008.

However, the world and Olympic record holder's term as the national team's manager was marred by several doping cases among Iranian weightlifters.

Iran's anti-doping institution confirmed in June the use of illegal drugs by weightlifters Mohsen Davoudi and Rashid Sharifi.

Davoudi claimed the gold medal in the +94kg category in the Asian Junior Championships and Sharifi won three gold medals in the +105kg Asian Championships.

Earlier in 2007, 11 Iranian weightlifters were banned for doping.

Rezazadeh came under more pressure when the Iranian national team had its weakest performance in the 2009 World Championships.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Link

Iranian Hercules Fighting New Battle: Rezazadeh vows to fight doping

TEHRAN, Dec. 20 (Mehr News Agency) -- Newly-appointed caretaker of Iran Weightlifting Federation Hossein Rezazadeh vowed he will eradicate doping in the sport in Iran.

"At first, we have to raise the knowledge of our weightlifters about doping substances. Iran will be one of the powerhouses soon," Rezazadeh said on Sunday.

"Hopefully, all experts will help me bring Iran's weightlifting back into contention," he added.

Rezazadeh was sacked from the management of Iran's weightlifting team last week because of poor results in the world championship in South Korea.

Iran Physical Education Organization President Ali Saeidlu chose Rezazadeh as the caretaker of the federation on Sunday.

Rezazadeh nicknamed "The Iranian Hercules" won the gold medals in the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic games.