The International Weightlifting Federation recognises two lifts which must be executed in the following sequence:

1. The Snatch

2. The Clean and Jerk

Both lifts must be executed with two hands and a maximum of three attempts is allowed with each lift.

At the Olympic Games, medals are awarded for the highest total weight successfully lifted from the Snatch and Clean and Jerk combined.

Other events, such as the IWF World Championships, offer medals for the best Snatch and Clean and Jerk lifts, as well as the best total.

There are key technical differences between the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk, which are lifts with contrasting styles.

The lifts both call on nearly every muscle in the body and perfecting them requires tremendous agility, balance, concentration, flexibility, speed, timing and power.

At weightlifting events, the barbell gradually becomes heavier as athletes attempt bigger and bigger lifts.

The Snatch

The Snatch sees a weightlifter lift the barbell from the floor to above their head in one single motion.

There are four parts of a successful Snatch lift - the set-up, the pull, the catch and the stand.

A lifter first grips the bar with palms downwards, before pulling it in a single movement from the platform to a fully stretched and static position with arms above the head.

This can be done while either splitting or bending the legs.

During this continuous movement, the barbell may slide along the thighs and the lap.

No part of the body other than the feet may touch the platform during the execution of the lift.

The weight, once lifted, must be maintained in the final motionless position, arms and legs extended and with the feet on the same line, until the officials give the signal to replace the barbell on the platform.

The referees give the signal to lower the barbell as soon as the lifter becomes motionless in all parts of the body.

At the first Olympic Games of the modern era in Athens in 1896, the Snatch started out as a one-handed lift.

The two-handed version debuted in 1924 in Paris.

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The Clean and Jerk

The Clean and Jerk is a two-stage lift which means it is notably different to the Snatch which takes place all in one motion.

A lifter must first start with the Clean stage where the bar is lifted to below the neck, followed by the athlete dropping into a squat.

Next, the lifter must stand upright with the barbell supported by their shoulders, bringing an end to the Clean phase.

In the jerk, an athlete must bend their legs and extend them as well as their arms to bring the barbell to a fully stretched and static position.

Power in the legs is essential as the bar is lifted above the athlete's head.

They then return their feet to the same line and wait for the signal from officials to return the barbell to the platform.

Athletes are typically able to lift around 20 per cent more with their Clean and Jerk, compared to the Snatch.

The lift brings suspense to the sport as there is often a gap between the Clean and Jerk stages, providing tension to a competition.

Two-handed Clean and Jerk was on the programme at the very first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.

This was 28 years before the two-handed Snatch made its Olympic debut.