When must a lifter remove their supporting equipment before lifting?

The correct choice indicates that a lifter must remove their supporting equipment before stepping onto the platform. In powerlifting, the use of supportive gear, such as knee wraps, belts, and lifting suits, is strictly regulated to ensure fair competition and maintain athlete safety. The rules dictate that all such equipment must comply with IPF specifications.

Removing supportive equipment before stepping onto the platform allows the officials to confirm that the lifter adheres to the regulations concerning the use of equipment and that any permitted equipment is still present during the lift. This step is critical in maintaining the integrity of the competition, as a lifter might otherwise attempt to lift with illegal or unauthorized equipment that could provide an unfair advantage.

Other options suggest different timings for the removal of equipment, which do not align with the established rules. For instance, removing equipment after the lift or while waiting for a turn would not allow officials to accurately assess conformity to equipment regulations right before the lift, leading to potential issues regarding fairness and athlete safety.