(Antalya, Turkey) Although packed with talent and sporting plenty of big names, the official start list for the European Weightlifting Championships, just released, is missing some hoped-for lifters.

Mutlu, Huster, Kolecki, Dimas, Kakiashvilis and Chemerkin are among the stars who will not be competing, but the line up still includes more champions than you are likely to see anywhere other than the world championships or the Olympics.

Once again, the Turkish Weightlifting Federation and the city of Antalya appear poised to host a first class event, as they did when they held the 2001 World Weightlifting Championships on very short notice, and complete results should be available each day on the Turkish Weightlifting Federation's web site (http://www.halterfed.gov.tr).