Middle-Heavyweight (≤91 kilograms), Men

Aleksey Petrov had won the 1994 World Championships, held the world record in this class, and seemed to win the 1995 Worlds. However, he tested positive after that competition for anabolic steroids, and received a lifetime ban in March 1996. Petrov appealed the penalty, and a girlfriend appeared who admitted to spiking his food with steroids prior to the competition. His ban was lifted and Petrov was allowed to compete in Atlanta. He opened with a world record 187.5 kg in the snatch and tied for the best lift in the clean & jerk to win the gold medal. The defending champion in this class was K’akhi K’akhiashvili, a Georgian who competed for the Unified Team in 1996. He changed allegiance to Greece and competed in 1996 as Akakios Kakiasvili, and won another gold medal in heavyweight I class. In 2000 Kakiasvili moved back to middle-heavyweight, winning his third gold medal, and second in this division.