'Little Dynamo' is a big absence in weightlifting

(BEIJING, July 21) -- Turkey's Halil Mutlu, nicknamed "Little Dynamo", announced last month he will no longer be going for his fourth Olympic gold in the 56 kg class, a feat that would have been a first for the sport.

Winner at the last three consecutive Olympic Games, Mutlu said he was unable to lift his weight targets in practice, making it difficult for him to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games, according the International Weightlifting Federation's website.

With Mutlu gone, and the absence of the entire Bulgarian team as well as members of the Greek team, other competitors will be looking to step onto the podium in Beijing. The "Iranian Hercules" Hossein Rezazadeh is looking to join the ranks of Mutlu and other three-time Olympic weightlifting gold medalists, going for his third gold in the over-105 kg weight class.

Meanwhile, in a visit to Beijing this July, the International Weightlifting Federation's technical delegates to the Games, Sam Coffa and Attila Adamfi, confirmed that preparations for the Olympic competitions are nearly completed.

At this year's Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the men's and women's weightlifting events will both be held at the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Gymnasium (BUAA Gymnasium) from August 9th through the 19th.