Amelia Pelta wants to defy stereotypes and inspire the next generation of girls into Olympic weightlifting as she targets a spot at the Olympic Games. The 17-year-old from Edgware has already secured European medals in her fledgling career but wants her impact in sport to extend beyond silverware. As well as competing at the top of her sport, Pelta wants to ensure she can entertain with her weightlifting, having already developed an awareness of the impact her performance can have on others.
Aiming for the Olympics
“I just want to be someone that people are inspired by,” she said. “I obviously want to get to the big events like the Olympics and do well for my country. But I'd say being that person that people enjoy watching, it’s exciting for them. It’s inspiring to show that girls can lift weights. It’s a stereotype that lifting weights doesn’t really align with young girls and I really want to show that it’s amazing to do it.”
From gymnastics to weightlifting
Having started out in gymnastics at four years old, Pelta was directed towards CrossFit by her coach when she was 13. Despite initially struggling with the weightlifting element of her new pursuit, she began to fall in love with the discipline when she took on extra sessions to target that weakness. Since attending a British Weightlifting Talent ID Day, Pelta has only gone from strength to strength with three European youth medals and British records to boot.
European success
“My first European medal in 2024 was amazing. It was my first ever international with no expectation,” she recalled. “I was in quite a competitive category, so when I won bronze it was just an amazing feeling. I didn’t even realise I’d got a medal at first. Winning the European medals gives me a lot of confidence. The following year I won two silvers so seeing the progression was also just a good feeling.”
Team England Futures
Pelta, who competes in the women’s 63kg class, was speaking at SportsAid Live at the Alexander Stadium as a Team England Futures athlete. The programme, delivered by SportsAid in partnership with Commonwealth Games England, will see Pelta and her peers head to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games this summer with Team England to experience a multisport environment to inspire and aid them in future competition. On the route to Glasgow 2026, the King’s Baton Relay also made a stop at the Alexander Stadium with Team England’s official automotive partner Geely playing a central role in England’s leg.
Learning from the experience
“Being at these events helps me realise that I’m on track for my goals of reaching the Olympics and Commonwealth Games myself,” explained Pelta. “It’s really cool seeing people from different sports that I wouldn’t normally see. It’ll be amazing for the whole experience of [the Commonwealth Games] because then hopefully for next time, I’ll already have that experience of what it’s like and be able to compete there myself.”
Commonwealth Games England has appointed SportsAid to lead the delivery of Team England Futures for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Building on the success of the programme at Birmingham 2022, Team England Futures will provide athletes, coaches and support staff with valuable insight and experience of a major multi-sport Games environment, helping them prepare for future Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic opportunities.
