Stefan Botev (AUS)confirmed today that he will not be undergoing surgery on his shoulder, and he will continue doing basic strength and power training but not work on the Olympic lifts for the rest of the year. Botev just had his shoulder examined and would have undergone surgery if there had been a guarantee that it would allow him to return to top form. Since he was not given that guarantee, Botev said he elected not to have the surgery, but he plans to try the lifts again next year, with an eye toward competing in the 2000 Olympics. Lest you think that Botev has gone soft during this period, it should be understood that he can still power clean 200 kg.