Internationaler Kraftsportverband

The Internationaler Weltverband für Schwerathletik was formed on 15 July 1912, during the Stockholm Olympics. This organization was the successor of the Amateur-Athleten-Weltunion, which governed weightlifting and wrestling. By then, both sports had already appeared at the Olympics with men’s events, starting in its inaugural edition, Athinai 1896.

During its first congress, held on 5-9 June 1913 with the presence of nine members (Austria, Bohemia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Russia, and Sweden), the federation would be officially established, becoming the Internationaler Amateur-Weltverband für Schwerathletik. The designation of this congress was a mere formality, however, since the constituent congress of the union had already taken place in Stockholm. This organization governed the sports of weightlifting, wrestling, weight throwing, boxing, and rug-of-War. Just like weightlifting and wrestling, these latter two sports had already made their way into the Olympics by then, with tug-of-war first appearing at Paris 1900, and boxing débuting at St. Louis 1904.

After 1920, it would be known as the Internationaler Kraftsportverband until its dissolution.