Secretary-general of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) from 1960 to 1974, Oscar State managed and coached British and Empire lifters for the 1948 Olympics and the 1950 and 1958 Empire Games.

During his years of service, the somewhat loose structure of the IWF became clearly defined. State created the first annual rankings lists and an All-Time Ranking List. He instituted the registration of Junior World records and implemented the controversial rule that “World records were not to be
recognized unless confirmed by international referees.” The IWF’s first coaching conferences—1962 in Munich and 1964 in Paris—were additional practical ideas organized by State, as were the first doping controls of medal winners at the 1966 World Championships in East Berlin. State earlier served as secretary of the British Weightlifting Association from 1946 to 1950, and secretary of the British Empire and Commonwealth
Weightlifting Committee from 1948 to 1972. He organized Olympic weightlifting in Great Britain in 1948 and 1956, as well as many World Championships and Empire Games.