The European Broadcasting Union, operating Eurovision, and the European Weightlifting Federation (EWF) have signed an agreement for the distribution of the media rights to all EWF European Weightlifting Championships until 2016.

This agreement covers four competitions, in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. In addition, host broadcasting of the championships will be handled by the local EBU Member or the EWF itself.

The EBU-EWF partnership started more than 15 years ago with an agreement covering Senior European Men’s and Women’s Championships in different weight categories.

EBU Head of Indoor Sports, Ingolfur Hannesson said:  "We are pleased to continue our excellent cooperation with the EWF, which has given the Olympic sport of weightlifting significant exposure in Europe. The EWF Championships are always run in a flawless, professional manner, just as the host broadcasting is always to a high standard, bringing tangible added value to the participating broadcasters."

Reflecting on the long and successful relationship between the EWF and the EBU, which dates back to 1996, EWF President Antonio Urso emphasised the importance of Eurovision’s exposure and support for the sport of weightlifting.

He said: “Together we’ve worked to raise the presentation and understanding of the sport, and now I look forward to continuing our progressive partnership for the next Olympic cycle: in particular our Senior European Men’s and Women’s European Championships up to and including 2016.”

This year the new cycle begins in Tirana, Albania, with the competition in 2016 providing the final Olympic qualifying opportunity for the European lifters aspiring to compete in Rio.

The 2013 Senior European Weightlifting Championships will be staged between 8 and 14 April at the Palace of Sport in Tirana. The seven-day championships will cover eight weight categories for men and seven for women.

Host broadcast coverage and international transmission will be managed by EBU Member, Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH).