VIRUS® International Becomes Official Apparel Partner of USA Weightlifting Through LA 2028
In a landmark partnership that unites two organizations with weightlifting at their core, VIRUS® International has been named the official lifestyle, apparel, and singlet sponsor of USA Weightlifting.
This isn't just another sponsorship deal. It's a partnership built on shared DNA—quite literally. VIRUS® is a company owned and operated by weightlifters, and for years has produced some of the finest training and competition gear in the worlds of competitive weightlifting and powerlifting. Now, that expertise will directly serve the national governing body for Olympic weightlifting in the United States.
The timing couldn't be more significant. USA Weightlifting is experiencing a historic moment of growth, fresh off a two-medal performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and the launch of their ambitious National Team Program. With the home Games in Los Angeles just four years away, this partnership positions both organizations to capitalize on the momentum building in American weightlifting.
More Than Apparel: A Comprehensive Partnership
Through this deal, VIRUS® will outfit USAW National Team athletes and personal coaches while also offering USAW-branded training, competition, and lifestyle apparel to the broader weightlifting community. But the partnership extends beyond clothing racks.
VIRUS® has also secured naming rights for USAW's prestigious North American Open Series. The competition series will now be known as the VIRUS® Weightlifting Series 1, VIRUS® Weightlifting Series 2, and VIRUS® Weightlifting Finals—putting the brand front and center at some of the most important domestic competitions in the sport.
Partnership Highlights
- Official Singlet Sponsor
- National Team Outfitter
- North American Open Series Naming Rights
- Exclusive Event Merchandise
- Through LA 2028
Built From the Community, For the Community
What sets this partnership apart is the authentic connection both parties share with the weightlifting community. Over 50% of athletes at USAW meets are already wearing VIRUS® singlets—a testament to the brand's organic adoption within the sport long before any official deal was signed.
"VIRUS® is truly interested in a win-win. They're genuinely invested in our success as an organization and as an ecosystem of athletes, coaches, clubs, officials, and volunteers. Their team comes from our community and thus brings a unique perspective that is informed by countless hours of working with a barbell themselves."
— Matt Sicchio, USAW President and CEOFor VIRUS® CEO Melanie Lin, who is herself a weightlifter, this partnership represents the culmination of the brand's deep roots in the sport. Most VIRUS® staff members are weightlifters, creating a company culture that inherently understands the demands and nuances of training and competition.
"This is our most important partnership to date simply because Olympic weightlifting as a sport lives so deeply in our roots as a brand and company. Being able to directly service and partner with this community in a more meaningful, impactful way is what excites us most."
— Melanie Lin, VIRUS® International CEOFrom Grassroots to Elite
One of the most compelling aspects of this partnership is its commitment to serving the entire weightlifting ecosystem—not just elite athletes. Both organizations have emphasized their dedication to grassroots development, supporting everyone from high school athletes getting their first singlet to coaches building their local clubs.
VIRUS® has built relationships with teams across the nation, from the most accomplished programs to five-member clubs just getting started. This ground-level presence, combined with USAW's infrastructure and reach, creates a powerful platform for growing the sport at every level.
The U.S. women's weightlifting team, currently ranked among the top two in the world, exemplifies the kind of excellence both organizations are working to cultivate and expand throughout the coaching ranks and club system.
"We are a sport, a team, and an organization on the rise. Our results in Paris, the launch of our National Team Program, the popularity of our local and national competitions, and an increasing investment from our partners and sponsors demonstrates this. It is telling that VIRUS®, a company with weightlifting in its DNA, decided that now is precisely the time to invest aggressively in USAW."
— Matt Sicchio, USAW President and CEOTechnology Meets Performance
VIRUS® brings more than brand recognition to this partnership—they bring proprietary fabric technologies developed specifically for athletic performance. Their trademarked technologies, including Bioceramic™ for enhanced recovery and CoolJade™ for temperature regulation, represent the kind of innovation that serious athletes demand.
For weightlifters, this means competition singlets and training gear engineered with the specific demands of the sport in mind: the need for compression and support during heavy lifts, breathability during long training sessions, and durability that withstands the rigors of daily barbell work.
Be Part of the Movement
USAW-branded VIRUS® International gear is available now. Join the community that's elevating American weightlifting.
Shop the CollectionThis partnership represents more than a business arrangement—it's a shared commitment to excellence, community, and the future of weightlifting in America. As both organizations prepare for the road to LA 2028, the weightlifting community can expect continued innovation, support, and investment at every level of the sport.
The countdown to the home Games has begun. And now, American weightlifters will make that journey equipped with gear built by people who truly understand what it means to step onto the platform.
