On 04.05.2026, we published an official statement regarding the retroactive revocation of the qualifier status of the Italian Open 2026 event (Blog Link).
At the same time, we invited feedback through our website, social media channels, and direct communication with affected athletes and partners. This article summarizes the main themes raised through that feedback and provides additional context regarding the review process and the resulting decision.
Gathering of Feedback
Following completion of the audit process and the preparation of the implementation and communication measures, we were aware that the decision would have a significant impact on the athletes who participated in the Italian Open 2026.
In addition, while comparable situations have occurred in organized sports generally, this represented a new and significant case within the FinalRep framework and the international streetlifting community.
For this reason, it was important for us to gather structured feedback from the community, particularly from affected athletes and organizational partners.
To facilitate this, we created two separate questionnaires:
- one directed specifically to athletes who competed at the Italian Open 2026, and
- one for the general public.
In parallel, we gathered additional feedback through direct communication channels with FinalRep partners and committees, including:
- qualifier organizers,
- national head judges,
- the Athletes Committee, and
- the Judging Committee.
In total, we received more than 100 survey responses alongside numerous detailed discussions with partners and community members worldwide.
We sincerely thank everyone who took the time to provide constructive and thoughtful feedback throughout this process!
Evaluation of Feedback
While many respondents expressed understanding for the underlying reasoning of the decision, significant concerns and criticism were raised regarding its consequences and implementation.
The most common themes included the following:
1) Retroactivity and impact on athletes
By far the most frequently raised concern related to the retroactive nature of the decision and its consequences for affected athletes.
Many respondents emphasized the substantial preparation required for participation in a qualifier event, including long-term training, travel expenses, accommodation costs, scheduling arrangements, and physical peaking for competition performance.
A recurring point raised in the feedback was that athletes themselves were not responsible for the identified organizational and compliance-related issues, yet were nevertheless affected by the resulting decision.
2) Perceived inconsistency in enforcement
Some respondents questioned whether comparable standards and enforcement thresholds have been applied consistently across all qualifier events.
Particular reference was made to observed irregularities or disputed judging decisions at other competitions.
3) Timing of communication and lack of advanced note
Some feedback criticized the timing of the public announcement, which occurred 14 days after the event.
Several respondents stated that it may have been preferable for FinalRep to publicly communicate earlier that a formal review process was ongoing.
4) Absence of on-site supervision
Another recurring point concerned the absence of a dedicated FinalRep supervisor or representative on-site during the competition.
Some respondents questioned whether additional preventive oversight measures should exist prior to qualifier approval or during event execution.
5) Lack of immediately available alternatives
At the time of the announcement, FinalRep stated that additional qualification opportunities were being explored for affected athletes.
Some respondents considered this communication insufficiently concrete at that stage.
Our response to the feedback
Following the feedback received, we would like to provide additional context regarding the review process, the limitations involved, and the considerations underlying the decision.
1) Retroactivity and impact on athletes
We fully recognize that this aspect represents the most difficult consequence of the decision.
As part of the review process, we examined how comparable situations involving structural non-compliance or unverifiable competition results have been addressed in other organized sports systems. Such cases are not unprecedented in competitive sports governance.
In practice, organizations commonly address these situations by offering alternative qualification opportunities where feasible, while maintaining the integrity of the qualification framework itself.
For this reason, FinalRep immediately initiated discussions with organizers of upcoming qualifier events in order to identify additional competition opportunities for affected athletes. The affected athletes were informed directly by email on 05.05.2026 regarding available and potential qualification opportunities.
2) Perceived inconsistency in enforcement
The review concerning the Italian Open 2026 was not based on isolated judging decisions or individual lifts.
The assessment concerned documented structural and operational issues affecting multiple areas of the event, including contractual compliance, equipment standards, judging transparency, and data reliability.
At the same time, individual judging decisions generally remain the responsibility of the on-site judging team and are typically not subject to retrospective review by FinalRep.
The distinction between isolated judging disagreements and broader structural non-compliance is an important aspect of the review process.
3) Timing of communication and lack of advanced note
The announcement was published after completion of the audit process because the review required extensive examination of approximately 16 hours of livestream footage, FinalRep system records, submitted reports, and supporting documentation.
The resulting documentation included extensive review material and detailed findings that were provided to the organizer alongside the official decision.
From both a procedural fairness and organizational standpoint, we considered it important to complete the review process before issuing a formal public statement.
A premature public communication during an ongoing review process could have created additional speculation and uncertainty before the audit had been completed.
4) Absence of on-site supervision
The 2026 FinalRep qualifier season consists of 23 competitions across multiple countries.
Given the current operational structure and available resources of FinalRep as an organization, permanent on-site supervision by FinalRep representatives at every qualifier event is not presently feasible.
The FinalRep system is therefore based on the principle that qualified judges, organizers, and participating officials at each event are responsible for implementing the applicable standards and procedures locally.
To support accountability within this framework, FinalRep provides a formal rule violation reporting process through its website. Where detailed and substantiated reports are submitted, they are reviewed and followed up accordingly.
5) Lack of immediately available alternatives
At the time of the public announcement, FinalRep had already initiated communication with several organizers of upcoming European qualifier events regarding the possibility of additional participation opportunities for affected athletes.
Due to the need to first finalize the audit, complete the decision process, and prepare the associated communication measures, these discussions were ongoing at the time of publication.
Following coordination with partner organizers, additional participation opportunities at several qualifier events were subsequently made available and communicated directly to affected athletes.
Summary
Since the introduction of the international qualifier system in 2024, the FinalRep network has expanded significantly. Alongside this growth, the level of athletic performance, organizational professionalism, and international participation has continued to develop.
As the coordinating organization of this competition framework, we consider it our responsibility to maintain operational standards that support fair, transparent, and comparable competition conditions across all qualifier events.
This includes:
- establishing clear rules and operational requirements
- monitoring compliance with those standards, and
- addressing serious structural deviations where necessary.
At the same time, this case has also highlighted areas in which FinalRep itself must continue to improve organizationally, procedurally, and communicatively as the sport and its international structures continue to evolve.
The Italian Open 2026 review process represented a difficult situation for everyone involved. Nevertheless, we considered it necessary to address the identified issues in accordance with the established framework and responsibilities of the organization.
Closing statement
On behalf of the entire FinalRep team, we would like to acknowledge the frustration and disappointment experienced by many athletes affected by this decision. We saw it in the messages we’ve received and in the faces of those we’ve spoken to in person. And it touches us deeply as well.
We understand the substantial preparation, commitment, financial investment, and physical demands associated with participation in qualifier competitions. We also recognize that, for some athletes, the alternatives that we offered did not seem appropriate.
While this process has been difficult for all parties involved, we believe that maintaining consistent operational standards and transparent governance structures is necessary for the long-term integrity and development of the sport. We sincerely thank everyone who contributed constructive feedback and engaged with this process respectfully and thoughtfully.
This incident and the reactions to it have also shown us that there is a strong sense of unity within the Italian streetlifting community. We are well aware that Italy is one of the strongest nations in the sport of streetlifting—both in terms of athletic performance and interpersonal solidarity. We would like to take this opportunity to express our respect for that.
Italy has always made a significant contribution to the global sport of streetlifting, and will continue to do so in the future. Looking ahead, we will find a way to integrate streetlifting in Italy into international sports structures as good as possible.
With best regards,
— your FinalRep team 🧡
