What signifies the completion of a lift in powerlifting?

In powerlifting, the completion of a lift is signified by a specific signal or command given by the referee. This is essential because the referee's role is to provide an official judgment on the performance according to the rules and regulations of the competition. The referee's command confirms that the lifter has successfully completed the lift according to the required criteria, including proper technique and adherence to timing.

The signaling process ensures that there is a clear and consistent standard for what constitutes a completed lift, allowing for fairness and uniformity across all competitors. The lifter must wait for the referee's command before they can rack the weight or proceed, which is critical for maintaining the integrity of the competition.

Other possibilities, like receiving confirmation from the audience, do not constitute an official completion since crowd reactions can be subjective and vary widely. Similarly, dropping the weight back to the platform does not indicate that the lift was completed; it’s simply a part of the process after the attempt. Lastly, standing still for a predetermined time alone does not signify completion unless it is accompanied by the referee's final command. Thus, the referee's signal is the definitive indicator of a successful lift.