Tamás Aján, the IWF President who was the main target of the documentary, has written to the governing body's 192 Member Federations complaining that broadcaster ARD "gave no recognition to our reforms".

While Aján stated that the IWF was "considering further investigations for the new allegations made by ARD", he added: "You will of course have noted that the great majority of the ARD allegations refer to the past, while the TV show gave no recognition for our reforms - many of which have gone further and faster than in any other international sports federation."

He was referring to changes in the past two-and-half years that were praised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) - including a new Olympic qualifying system that compels lifters to undergo far more doping tests than before, and asking the International Testing Agency (ITA) to manage anti-doping procedures.

There have also been severe punishments of countries with a bad doping record now and in the past, including the loss of Olympic quota places and an outright ban from Tokyo 2020 for Thailand and Egypt.

The documentary Secret Doping - the Lord of the Lifters  was shown by the German state broadcaster on January 5 and has since been posted on YouTube with English subtitles.

It features allegations of corruption that were described by the IOC as "very serious and worrying".

There were claims of doping cover-ups and financial mismanagement by the IWF, which it has strenuously denied, and revelations of children taking steroids in Thailand, where weightlifting is the most successful Olympic sport.

Questions were also asked about the performance and practices of Hungary's National Anti-Doping Agency (HUNADO), which like the IWF is based in Budapest.

Aján, 80, who has held senior roles at the IWF since 1976, said documents were being compiled "with evidence to refute the old and unfounded accusations and allegations repeated by ARD".

This news was welcomed by Phil Andrews, chief executive of USA Weightlifting, who said "the only reasonable response" to the documentary was to produce documented proof "or invite a reputable firm to investigate the allegations".

Andrews also said that HUNADO should be investigated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and should be dropped from any role in weightlifting, at least for now.

He said "the ITA must avoid using them until the IWF is no longer based in Hungary".

That would probably be until 2021 or beyond as Aján, a Hungarian, is due to remain in office until then.

Andrews had already said that the IOC should retest all stored samples of any athletes likely to compete at Tokyo 2020.

Retests from Beijing 2008 and London 2012 have so far produced 59 positives by weightlifters.

Allegations of doping and corruption in Thailand and Moldova, raised in secret recordings by undercover reporters, should be investigated by the IWF, WADA and the IOC, Andrews said.

He called for documentary evidence from the IWF regarding allegations of "missing millions", and for more transparency in publicising doping tests.

Andrews also suggested athletes and coaches should be given a voice on "the next steps" to be taken by the IWF.

"The sport made so many positive steps this quad in anti-doping," Andrews said.

"Now is the time to further turn up the heat."

Aján wrote in his letter: "The ARD show did not include statements from the IWF or the IOC.

"From this approach, we can only conclude that ARD is more interested in creating sensational stories than the genuine work of improving anti-doping and changing the culture of weightlifting."

He claimed the IWF was grateful for the help of its general secretary, Mohammed Jalood, who has been in Budapest this week and "o those IWF Executive Board members who have responded to the ARD allegations in a concerned, professional and helpful way that puts the interests of our sport and its athletes first".

Aján claimed he had received more than 100 notes from Member Federations, officials, partners and individuals offering support and encouragement.

The meeting is due to held in Doha next Wednesday (January 22), "in order to allow the Board to clearly understand the situation and form their position".