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Mahassen Hala Fattouh

Lebanon

Mahassen Hala Fattouh

Country

country

Lebanon

Birthdate

27 Aug 1989

36y

Sport

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Weightlifting

2024 Asian Championship

bronze

2020 Olympic Games

2019 Arab Championship

gold

Biography

Academic Qualifications

I received an Associate of Arts degree from Daytona State College in 2010

Professional Career

I am the owner of LiftingLife, a weightlifting photography company. I worked as CFO and bookkeeper for Pizzamico, LLC. I was bookkeeper at Golevel, LLC and a private adoption agency.

Functions in the field of sports

I have worked as a referee and as a technical official for local and national level competitions. I was on the board of directors for the Florida Weightlifting Federation as an athlete representative for two years.

Awards and distinctions

I am the first woman to represent Lebanon internationally in the sport of weightlifting, as well as the first woman to medal in this sport for my country. I received the leadership award from my secondary school, and was inducted into their athletic hall of fame.

Why are you running as a candidate for the ISSA Athletes' Commission?

"Having been involved in the world of sport for over two decades, I have always been on the receiving end of the decisions being made without a say or clear understanding of the reason behind changes both good and bad. I beleive it is important for athletes to have an advocate in the world we have dedicated ourselves to, and it is my wish to be one of those voices."

Mahassen Hala Fattouh

Weightlifting  Athlete
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What experience do you have that you would bring to the ISSA AC?

I have been competing for over 20 years in the sport of weightlifting and been representing Lebanon on the international stage at every level since 2014. I have worked behind the scenes as media at multiple weightlifting world championships, granting me the opportunity to see what goes into running large scale events.

Why should your fellow athletes vote for you?

During my time as an athlete representative on my regional board of directors, I advocated for fair and reasonable competition fees and athlete funding. I would love an opportunity to build on that experience and to learn more of what my fellow athletes see as pressing issues.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an athlete?

Most recently, it has been representation both as an individual athlete from a small nation and as member of a sport that the IOC has been shrinking since the 2016 Olympic Games.

How did you become involved in sport?

I found weightlifting as a teen while in school at the encouragement of a friend, and I haven't stopped since.

How has sport had an impact in your Life?

Sport has had a huge impact on my life. It taught me discipline. It made me beleive in myself more, by achieving things I never would have thought possible, or that I was told weren't possible. I met my husband throught sport, and my community and family grew through sport.

What would be your top three priorities if you were elected?

1) Represent and support my fellow athletes, providing an avenue for their ideas and most pressing concerns to be heard by the decision-making bodies. 2) Advocate for integrity and fair play, putting athlete welfare first. 3) Ensure our athletes know their rights, and that those rights are respected and represented.

Describe your personality in three words?

Focused, kind, dedicated.

What are you passionate about?

In terms of sports, I am most passionate about fair play and all the could mean, from anti-doping to qualification parameters to the fees associated with participation.

Why is the athletes' voice important to you?

We are the ones who are most affected by the changing of rules, policies, and qualification procedures, so it seems necessary that we have a seat at table for those discussions.
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