Team sport athletes who are required to accelerate for shorter distances only (i.e., 10-30 m) may find that Olympic lifting movements are more compatible with the performance requirements in their sport. The repeat acceleration requirements of highly physical sports such as American football and rugby make heavy Olympic lifting movements highly attractive and effective training options. These exercises are also well suited for field-event athletes in track and field, including jumpers, vaulters and throwers, where in most cases a short sprint is followed by an explosive effort. A thorough examination of situational factors will dictate which approach will best serve coach and athlete in the quest to become faster. Some athletes will benefit from heavier strength-training loads than others. However, coaches must realise that having a love affair with weightlifting can have significant repercussions when an athlete is trying to run faster. The public’s fascination with more exercises and infinitely modified versions of perfectly sound exercises has taken the focus off the purpose of strength training, which is to make athletes stronger in a general sense.