Since then, women's weightlifting has continued to grow in popularity and prestige, with more women competing at the highest levels of the sport. The introduction of weight classes for women has also helped to increase participation and competitiveness, with athletes able to compete against others of a similar size and strength. One of the most iconic moments in women's weightlifting history came in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, when Tara Nott became the first American woman to win a gold medal in the sport. Her victory helped to inspire a new generation of female weightlifters and raised the profile of women's weightlifting around the world.
