• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The BarBend Logo in white.

BarBend

The Online Home for Strength Sports

  • News
    • CrossFit
    • Strongman
    • Bodybuilding
    • Top Athletes
    • Powerlifting
    • Weightlifting
    • HYROX
    • Competition Results
    • Latest Research
  • Reviews
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Mini Massage Guns
      • Individual Recovery Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Best Protein
        • Best Vegan Protein Powders
        • Best Whey Isolate Protein Powders
        • Best Mass Gainers
        • Best Protein Bars
      • Best Pre-Workouts
        • Best Pre-Workouts for Women
        • Best Pre-Workouts for Men
        • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workouts
        • Strongest Pre-Workouts
      • Best Creatine
      • Best Electrolyte Supplements
      • Best Greens Powder
      • Best Meal Replacements
      • Best Nitric Oxide Supplements
      • Best Fat Burners
        • Best Fat Burners for Men
        • Best Fat Burners for Women
        • Best Non-Stim Fat Burners
      • More Supplements
        • Best Supplements for Muscle Growth
        • Best Supplements for CrossFit
        • Best Supplements for Weight Loss
        • Best Supplements for Bodybuilding
        • Best Supplements for Men
        • Best Supplement Stacks
      • Individual Supplements Reviews
    • Equipment
      • Cardio
        • Best Treadmills
        • Best Rowing Machines
        • Best Exercise Bikes
        • Best Ellipticals
        • Best Recumbent Bikes
      • Strength
        • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
        • Best Dumbbells
        • Best Kettlebells
        • Best Barbells
        • Best Squat Racks
        • Best Free Weights
        • Best Weight Benches
        • Best Resistance Bands
        • Best Slam Balls
        • Best Weighted Vests
        • Best Leg Extension Machines
        • Best Cable Machines
        • Best Power Racks
        • Best Pull Up Bars
      • Best Home Gyms
        • Best Smart Home Gyms
        • Best Gym Equipment Under $100
        • Best Home Gym Essentials
        • Best Home Gym Flooring
      • Individual Equipment Reviews
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Apparel
        • Best Weightlifting Shoes
        • Best Cross Training Shoes
        • Best Gym Bags
        • Best Gym Shorts
      • Training
        • Best Weightlifting Belts
        • Best Knee Sleeves
        • Best Lifting Straps
        • Best Grip Strengtheners
        • Best Wrist Wraps
        • Best Lifting Gloves
      • Individual Fitness Product Reviews
    • Certifications
      • Best Sports Nutrition Certifications
      • Best Personal Trainer Certifications
      • Best Nutrition Certifications
      • Individual Certifications Reviews
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
      • Individual Program Reviews
  • Nutrition
    • Diets
      • Carb Cycling
      • Vertical Diet
      • Reverse Dieting
      • Carnivore Diet
      • Ketogenic Diet
      • Intermittent Fasting
      • IIFYM Diet
    • Fat Loss
      • Macros for Fat Loss
      • Calorie Deficits
      • Natural Fat Burners
      • Cut 2 Pounds Weekly
    • Muscle Gain
      • How to Dirty Bulk
      • Go From Cutting to Bulking
      • Eat These Carbs
      • How to Eat for Muscle
    • Supplement Guides
      • Pre-Workout
      • Whey Protein
      • Mass Gainers
      • Greens Powders
      • Creatine
      • BCAAs
    • Nutrition Tips
      • Daily Protein Needs
      • Pre- and Post-Workout Nutrition
      • Foods With Creatine
      • Bulking Tips
  • Training
    • Workouts
      • Back Workouts
      • At-Home Workouts
      • Chest & Back Workouts
      • Full-Body Workout
      • HIIT Workouts
    • Exercise Guides
      • Deadlift
      • Bench Press
      • Back Squat
      • Overhead Press
      • Bent-Over Row
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Crunches
      • Farmer’s Carry
    • Best Exercises
      • Shoulder Exercises
      • Back Exercises
      • Chest Exercises
      • Glute Exercises
      • Ab Exercises
      • Hamstring Exercises
      • Quad Exercises
      • Calf Exercises
      • Biceps Exercises
      • Triceps Exercises
    • Programs
      • Push-Up Program
      • Pull-Up Program
      • German Volume Training
      • 5/3/1 Program
      • Powerbuilding Program
      • The Cube Method
      • 5×5 Program
      • Bodybuilding Programs
      • Build Your Own Program
    • Fat Loss
      • How to Burn Fat
      • Spot Fat Reduction
      • How to Train on a Cut
      • Body Conditioning
      • Workouts
        • Kettlebell Circuits
        • Dumbbell Complexes
        • Farmer’s Carry Workouts
    • Muscle Gain
      • Muscle Hypertrophy Explained
      • How to Build Muscle
      • How to Maintain Muscle
      • What Researchers Say About Muscle Gain
        • Workouts
          • 20-Minute Workouts
          • Kettlebell Circuits
          • CrossFit Workouts for Muscle
          • Bodybuilding Workouts
  • Calculators
    • Protein Intake Calculator
    • Macros Calculator
    • BMR Calculator
    • Squat Calculator
    • Calorie Calculator
  • Community Forum
Home » Weightlifting News » Sarah Davies Sanctioned By British Weight Lifting for "Discriminatory Comments," Resigns From IWF Athletes Commission

Sarah Davies Sanctioned By British Weight Lifting for “Discriminatory Comments,” Resigns From IWF Athletes Commission

The suspension makes Davies ineligible to participate in the upcoming European Weightlifting Championships on behalf of Britain.

Written by Jake Dickson, NASM-CPT, USAW-L2
Last updated on April 29th, 2025

On April 12, 2022, British weightlifter and Tokyo Olympian Sarah Davies received a three-month competitive suspension by British Weight Lifting (BWL), preventing her from competing on behalf of BWL at any international event. As described in BWL’s press release, Davies admitted to “making comments of a discriminatory nature against a fellow athlete.”

According to BWL, Davies violated several articles of the federation’s Athlete Agreement and Code of Conduct. Their findings were corroborated by an independent arbitrator from Sport Resolutions, a third-party conflict management bureau based in the United Kingdom. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Sarah Davies OLY (@sarahd_gb)

[Related: The Best Strength Athletes in 2021]

Editor’s Note: BarBend reached out to British Weight Lifting for additional information on the matter, but the organization declined to comment further.

What It Means

BWL’s decision makes Davies, who placed fifth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the Women’s 64-kilogram category, ineligible to represent Great Britain in the upcoming 2022 European Weightlifting Championships (EWC) in Albania. Further, BWL publicly recommended that Davies step down from her position as Chair of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Athletes Commission. 

Moreover, BWL’s actions also stipulate that Davies is under “final warning” status for a period of 12 months, is required to issue a written apology to the victim, and must attend “equality, diversity, and inclusion training.” 

Shortly after BWL’s publication of the sanction, Davies took to Instagram to respond to the news. Davies’ caption acknowledges her fault in the matter and confirms that she will resign from her position on the Athletes Commission. 

At the time of this article’s original publication, BWL did not publicly elaborate on what “comments” Davies made to spark the investigation, nor to whom they were directed. You can read the full text of her social media statement below: 

Sarah Davies’ Statement

“I am deeply remorseful that this situation has got to this, but I accept what I said was unacceptable and I am sorry to those who it upset and offended, this was never my intention with the statement. I accept the sanction from BWL and understand their reasoning.

Having worked hard for the last 18months to better the international landscape of our sport it deeply saddens me that I have had to step down from my position on the Athletes Commission. In that time I have stood for what is right for our sport and fought to keep our sport in the Olympic movement, built strong relations with the IOC and made significant change within the organisation, including having the athlete voice recognised, stepping down from this position has been the hardest part of the sanction.

I hope the work that has been started will be continued in my absence and those involved in the leadership of the sport will continue to do the right thing for future generations of weightlifters.”

Sarah Davies’ Weightlifting Career

Davies has made waves as a prominent activist on behalf of competitive weightlifters throughout the better part of the past decade. As an athlete herself, Davies has turned in some impressive results. According to the IWF’s competitive registry, Davies has competed for Great Britain in 19 international events since 2014. Some of her more prominent results include:

  • 2017 Commonwealth Championships — Bronze
  • 2019 British International Open — Silver
  • 2021 European Weightlifting Championships — Silver
  • 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games — Fifth
  • 2021 World Championships — Silver

Note: These rankings refer to Davies’ result in the Total, which combines the athlete’s best snatch with their best clean & jerk.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Sarah Davies OLY (@sarahd_gb)

[Related: Bulgarian Weightlifter Karlos Nasar Clean & Jerks Unofficial 210-Kilogram World Rec0rd]

Consequences

Her removal from Great Britain’s competitive roster also displaces Davies as the pre-competition leader in the Women’s 71-kilogram category at the 2022 EWC. According to the preliminary entry list, Davies boasted a 234-kilogram entry total, four kilos higher than that of the runner-up.

With the adjustment to the sport’s competitive weight categories for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Davies declared on social media that she would be bulking up to 71 kilograms in an attempt to quality for the Games. It remains to be seen what Davies will do in the near future and whether her sanction affects her bid for Paris. 

Featured Image: @sarahd_gb on Instagram

About Jake Dickson, NASM-CPT, USAW-L2

Jake is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a B.S. in Exercise Science. He began his career as a weightlifting coach before transitioning into sports media to pursue his interest in journalism.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Latest Reviews

Dinnerly Review

Dinnerly Review (2025): Worth the Cost?

EveryPlate Review

EveryPlate Review (2025): A Tasty, Budget-Friendly Meal Kit, Tested By Our Experts

ARMRA Colostrum Review

ARMRA Colostrum Review (2025): A Certified Nutrition Coach’s Critique of this Trending Supplement

Sun Home Luminar Review

Sun Home Luminar Review (2025): Our Experts Sweat It Out With This High-Quality Outdoor Sauna

Cover image for CookUnity review of a filled reusable box of 6 CookUnity meals

CookUnity Review (2025): An Expert-Tested and Flexible Prepared Meal Service

BarBend

BarBend is an independent website. The views expressed on this site may come from individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of BarBend or any other organization. BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting.

  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Sections

  • CrossFit
  • Strongman
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Weightlifting
  • Reviews
  • Nutrition
  • Training

More

  • BarBend Newsletter
  • BarBend Podcast
  • The Ripped Report
  • 1RM Calculator
  • BMR Calculator
  • Macros Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Squat Calculator

Policies

  • Accessibility
  • Advice Disclaimer
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimers
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2025 · BarBend Inc · Sitemap