As everyone tries to stay in their best shape while social distancing, USA Weightlifting and the Canadian Weightlifting Fédération Haltérophile Canadienne announced last week that they have partnered to put together a competition calendar. 

Here is the official release via USA Weightlifting:

USA Weightlifting and the Canadian Weightlifting Fédération Haltérophile Canadienne (CWFHC) are proud to announce a unique partnership to bring together the North American Open Series to Weightlifting athletes on both sides of the border starting in 2021, with the North American Open Series West set to happen in Canada in September 2021.

USA Weightlifting will also, after a comprehensive review of its events area and a consultation by survey to coaches across the nation will also adjust its calendar as follows from 2021:
March - North American Open Series East + National University Championship
June - National Championships Week (Youth, Junior, Under 25 & Senior)
September - North American Open Series West
December - North American Open Finals.

“Firstly, we are excited to be joined by our Canadian friends in the North American Open Series, we feel this will add an additional sense of competition and magnitude to the event for both American and Canadian athletes. Meanwhile, the outcomes of the Covid-19 pandemic has meant we have looked at all areas of the Federation, conscious of the economic factors facing both the Federation and also those in the field. By moving to a combined format, we put ourselves in a position to acquire more desirable locations and venues while driving down the total cost to compete across the year. Finally in thinking about our national events, we look forward to a safe return to Weightlifting competition.” - Phil Andrews, USA Weightlifting Chief Executive Officer.

“The CWFHC is delighted to partner with USA Weightlifting in bringing the North American Open Series north of the border. Our organization sees this as a tremendous opportunity to promote weightlifting and share it with a wider audience at a time when sports at all levels are facing unforeseen challenges. We believe this collaboration will have far-reaching benefits for our sport and host communities alike, and we look forward to working closely with USA Weightlifting to build on the success of this series.” - Craig Walker, President CWFHC.

The new series will commence in 2021 with the North American Open Series East and National University Championship at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, and culminate with the North American Open Finals that December in Denver, Colorado. The sites for the National Championships Week in the USA and the North American Open West in Canada remain to be determined.

The National Championships week will see the excitement build across over a week of competition, culminating in the overall National Championships remaining on two platforms at the end of the week. Full details of the anticipated schedule will be published together with the event location later in 2020.