Which describes the principle of consistency in refereeing?

• A. Applying the same rules and judging criteria to every lifter.
• B. Adjusting calls based on crowd size.
• C. Letting personal bias influence calls.
• D. Changing rules mid-competition for convenience.

Answer: (A)

Consistency in refereeing means applying the same rules and judging criteria to every lifter. This ensures fairness by making outcomes depend on performance and adherence to the official standards, not on crowd size, personal bias, or convenient changes. When the same depth, pause, lockout, and judging signals are used for all lifters, everyone faces the same expectations and the results reflect true performance. Conversely, adjusting calls for spectacle, letting bias influence decisions, or changing rules during a competition would create unfairness and confusion. That uniform application of rules and criteria is what maintains the integrity of the event.