The purpose of this article is to provide those who both recruit and train young weightlifters with an overview of the selection process of Junior weightlifters used by coaches and trainers in the former Soviet Union. I would like to state at the outset that those who might not meet these somewhat stringent standards should by no means be excluded from actively seeking to maximize their own potential as athletes. Olympic lifting requires patience, dedication, and discipline from those who undertake to master the skills needed to succeed. In my opinion, the further development of such character traits is reason enough in and of itself to take up the sport. However, I also feel that the guidelines set forth within the article can be of great value in recognizing young athletes who possess extraordinary athletic ability and consequently would be ideally suited to meet the high standards required of those who eventually reach the highest levels of achievement. The requirement norms as presented in tables 1 and 2 are noteworthy in two particular aspects. First, they focus on both general as well as sport specific skills. And second, the general physical preparatory work (GPP) covers a wide range of motor skills. For example, the norms test strength from both a static and dynamic perspective and various types of strength (i.e. absolute strength, power, and explosive strength) are tested. Both the phosphate and lactate energy systems of the body are challenged. Flexibility and mobility are also considered. Overall, the scope of both the breadth and depth of the testing means are impressive. In Table 1 below the ten GPP standards are listed. The results are assessed in points. The first number to the right of the exercise is awarded 3 points and the next two are awarded 4 and 5 points respectively. Table 1 1 Pushups Reps 15 20 25 2 Parallel Bar Dips Reps 6 8 12 3 4m Rope Climb Seconds 20 15 12 4 4m Rope Climb with arms only Seconds 22 20 18 5 Static Exercise - holding legs at 90    degrees in hanging position Seconds 3 5 8 6 Forward Bend with legs straight Flexibility fingers to palms to palms to floor floor floor and head on knees 7 60m Run Seconds 9.3 9.0 8.9 8 500m Run Seconds 100 82 85 9 Standing Long Jump Centimeters 160 170 180 10 4Kg. Shot Putt Meters 7 8 9 The maximal score that can be tallied is therefore 50 points. Scores between 40 and 45 would indicate unusually gifted young athletes. The tests are most often administered to 13-14 year olds so the standards ought to be adjusted accordingly for those who are older or younger. Table 2 lists the sport specific norms or the special physical preparation (SPP) norms. The scoring format is applied in the same manner as above with Table 1. Table 2 1 Snatch % of Bodyweight 70 80 85 2 Clean & Jerk % of Bodyweight 80 90 100 3 Bench Press % of Bodyweight 75 85 90 4 Squat % of Bodyweight 100 110 120 The figures in the last 3 columns represent the amount of weight lifted as a percentage of the lifters bodyweight. The maximum score possible from the SPP is therefore 20 points. Scores of 14-18 points would indicate a naturally gifted performer. The above data was excerpted from "A System of Multi-Year Training in Weightlifting" by the late A.S. Medvedev. by Jim O’Malley