It's because powerlifting has weightclasses, so unlike running, you can still be fat as shit and still be an "athlete." And it does not require the speed that you see in Olympic weightlifting, so hams flock to PL instead. I actually know a ham from Crossfit who's a "powerlifter" now and I asked her why she doesn't do Olympic lifting, to which she actually responded with "I am not quick enough to drop under the bar that fast because I'm so fat." Suspicions confirmed....