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Background: Evaluating anti-doping measures is essential to optimise their effectiveness. Comparing sporting results that have a higher doping prevalence, such as weightlifting, before and after the implementation of anti-doping measures may serve as an effectiveness indicator., Methods: The results of the most successful weightlifters of both sexes in two time periods, 2009-2015 and 2016-2022 were analysed. The Sinclair Total (ST) to compare the relative strength of weightlifters from different weight categories was calculated., Results: A significant decrease in the ST during 2016-2022 ( p  < 0.001) in athletes of all ages and both sexes overall was reported. When analysed by age, there was a decrease in ST in juniors and seniors of both sexes ( p  = 0.010 and p  < 0.001, respectively), but not in youth. There was a decrease in the ST in senior men ( p  < 0.001), junior women ( p  < 0.001) and senior women ( p  < 0.001)., Conclusion: In elite weightlifting, adult athletic results declined during 2016-2022, which may partly be explained by the implementation of new methods to detect long-term anabolic androgenic steroid metabolites as well as other policies. This may highlight the effectiveness of these methods both in the prevention and detection of anti-doping rule violations.