Statement on IPF Article 14
Canadian Powerlifting Union (CPU)
IPF Constitution Article 14 is a requirement for all member nations of the CPU and as such, the CPU, as an IPF Affiliate, is required to abide by it. The IPF have served notice that they will be enforcing Article 14 and as such, we want our athletes to know the lay of the land so as to make good choices and not encounter unexpected roadblocks.
What is Article 14?
The position of the IPF is set out in Article 14 of the IPF Constitution, which reads as follows:
Any athlete, coach, referee or official who competes or participates in an International Powerlifting or Bench Press event not organised, sanctioned, or approved by the IPF shall not be permitted to take part in any IPF international, regional* or national event for a period of 12 months from the date of that non-approved event.
Any athlete, coach, referee or official that participates in any competition or Event which is organised by a Sporting Body, Federation or Organisation that has not received recognition from the World Anti-Doping Agency and is thus non-compliant with the Code and International Standards shall be automatically rendered ineligible and shall not be permitted to take part in an authorised National or International Powerlifting or Bench Press Event for a period of 12 months from the date of the last non-compliant Event.
Article 14 exists to ensure that all IPF affiliate members and registrants are compliant with the WADA anti-doping requirements.
* regional in this instance means “IPF Regional” as in NAPFs or Europeans.
Okay, but what does this mean for me as an athlete/coach/referee?
To summarise, it means that according to the IPF, if you are a CPU registrant and choose to compete with another federation or sporting body (including, but not limited to, USAPL, WRPF, 100% Raw, or other powerlifting organisations that are not affiliated with the IPF or WADA) you are not eligible to compete in competitions at National level or above for a 12 month period. If you compete or participate in non-WADA sports, you may also lose eligibility to compete in National level or above competitions for a 12 month period.
You are still allowed to register for and compete in local, provincial, or CPU-regional level competitions.
How does this affect International Team Selection processes?
Participation in a non-sanctioned federation may remove your eligibility to be selected for Team Canada for a 12-month period. We will ask any athlete who is selected for Team Canada, or submits their interest in selection, to confirm that they are compliant with Article 14 prior to any final nominations being made. We reserve the right to withdraw an international selection should it become apparent that the athlete has competed in breach of Article 14.
As previously stated, athletes can make their own decisions about whether to participate in one or multiple federations, but they must be aware of the consequences of their choices in the face of this IPF rule.
But I only want to participate in local meets! Does this apply to me too?
If you wish to lift/coach/referee at the local level of the CPU, you are not restricted from participation in other federations. However, should you qualify for nationals and wish to compete at the national level, your choices of where to lift may impact your ability to do so.
So if I qualify for CPU Nationals and want to compete/coach/officiate/referee, how does Article 14 affect me?
If you are a CPU registrant and, after having purchased your CPU registration, you compete/coach/referee/officiate in an event run by another powerlifting federation, you may not be able to compete/referee/coach at CPU Nationals or IPF International events for a period of 12 months. This restriction applies to athletes, coaches, handlers and officials.
Okay, but I also am a member of Powerlifting America (as an example). They’re IPF right? Can I still lift at Nationals? Can I make Team Canada?
If you are a PA (or other IPF affiliate) member and wish to lift as a guest at our meets, you are welcome to do so after emailing the board for approval. Please allow lots of time for us to jump through hoops to get you clearance from PA! If you want to make a National Team, it becomes a little trickier. As a lifter in the IPF, you can only lift for one country at a time. While Powerlifting America is an affiliate of the IPF, you cannot hold a full-fledged Powerlifting America membership AND CPU registration simultaneously. If you have been a PA athlete and want to become a CPU member, please contact the Board cpu-board@powerlifting.ca to have your release from PA processed so that you can become a CPU member in good standing.
I did a world-level meet in the Great Northern Canadian Liftopolis Fully-Geared Federation and the week after that I bought a CPU membership. Can I still qualify for and go to CPU Nationals?
Yes, the CPU and IPF do not have any jurisdiction over what you did before you became a member, unless it involves WADA violations in another sport. What you did before you became a CPU registrant is outside of our control and concern.
Who is policing this and how?
At present, we are asking lifters to confirm their own status as not having lifted in non-WADA events on applications for National Teams. The circumstances of each case will be looked at. If it is discovered that they have lifted in a non-IPF federation, it be dealt with on a case by case basis. If an applicant provides inaccurate information it may result in forfeiture of team positions.
Summary:
Participation*/ Membership in | Local, Provincial and CPU-regional Competitions | CPU Nationals | CPU International Teams |
CPU | OK | OK | OK |
Non-IPF Federation after buying a CPU membership | OK | ineligible for 12 months | ineligible for 12 months |
Other sport (WADA compliant) | OK | OK | OK |
Other sport (non-WADA compliant) after buying a CPU membership | OK | ineligible for 12 months | ineligible for 12 months |
*Participation according to the IPF rule means athletic, officiating, coaching, or refereeing participation. The rule does not address spotting and loading, helping to set up for an event, spectating, or other similar roles.
If you have questions about this rule, please contact the CPU Board at cpu-board@powerlifting.ca or the IPF at office@powerlifting.sport .
IPF Article 14
28th July 2024
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