The Snatch Event on Day 2 of this year's Games was the first of its kind. Each athlete had ten minutes to work up to a one rep maximum effort in the snatch, loosely defined with a few key requirements. Each athlete and their own bar, and nine others were competing at the same time. Pressing out and knees hitting the deck were permitting, though assisting the bar with any other part of your body was not.

The women in the first heat were impressive. Tamara Holmes was the runaway victor for the event with a 145lb lift. Crystal McReynolds lifted 125lbs. Jenny Olson got 120, while both Jolie Gentry and Laura Demarco snatched 115lbs each.

The second heat put up similarly competitive numbers. Both Lindsey Smith and Kristan Clever snatched 130lbs. Tanya Wagner, the overall champion, finished second with 135lbs.

This video from Carey Peterson shows the last minutes of the first heat. The clock approached the 10min mark, and the women dug in to push their limits. The pressure was on. Only sixteen women remained in the competition. Every point counted, as only 24 points separated first place from fifth place. Most of these competitors had already achieved their best lifts and were trying for one more jump.

Women's First Snatch Heat video ... [wmv] [mov]