The 2010 World Weightlifting Championships began in the southern Turkish city Antalya on Thursday, with men and women lifters from around the world to compete in 15 categories.

Altogether 561 athletes from 81 countries will join the competition, which is the first qualification game for the 2012 London Olympics, said President Hasan Akkus of Turkish Weightlifting Federation in a speech at the opening ceremony.

"The lifters will not only compete for medals and Olympic qualification but also for contributing to world peace and friendship," he said.

Turkish parliament speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin said the event would contribute to Antalya's sports tourism, noting that Turkey has aspired to a lead in investment in sports infrastructure and facilities in recent years.

The basketball worlds that ended in Istanbul on Sept. 12 and the weightlifting worlds now in Antalya demonstrates Turkey's capability of organizing the Olympic Games, he said.

The Turkish city of Istanbul has applied for hosting the 2020 Olympics.

Tamas Ajan, president of the International Weightlifting Federation, hailed Turkey's contribution to weightlifting sports and said he believed Turkey will be hosting the Olympics in the next 12 to 16 years.

China will send eight men lifters and seven women lifters to the worlds and eyes the event as an important step to qualify for the London Games, Chinese coaches said Thursday.

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