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Powerlifting vs. Weightlifting:
In contrast to classic Olympic weightlifting events, where an athlete raises a barbell from the floor to over his head, powerlifting movements are shorter.
The two sports are largely separated by geography, with Olympic weightlifting being more popular in Eastern Europe and Asia (Russia, Turkey, Iran, China, and others), while powerlifting is more popular in Western Europe and North America. However, support for powerlifting is growing worldwide, with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Indonesia, and Taiwan producing World Champions and World Record holders.
The events differ in terms of power output in the maximum lifts, where ironically, Olympic weightlifting actually produces greater power (force/time) outputs than powerlifting. As such, Olympic weightlifting competition lifts occur at a faster speed than typical powerlifting competition lifts.
It may be surmised that Olympic weightlifting has not caught on as strongly in the North American culture due to the proliferation of bodybuilding-influenced gyms, wherein powerlifting is often possible, but Olympic weightlifting is essentially impossible owing to lack of bumper plates and an Olympic platform, notable items needed for performing competition Olympic lifts safely.
