Velcro belts

[Lost and Found]

I've only used a leather belt for the past 55 years (not the same one). I just considered the neoprene/velcro belts to be cheap box store items or for commercial gyms to cover a lot of sizes.

I know this isn't a competitive weightlifting lifting forum but why do the Olympians use velcro belts rather than leather?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Because they are thinner, and don't get in the way as the bar passes the waist on the way up to the rack position.