Regarding the statements made my Dan, Bob and Lee.
1. Bob is 100% correct. There needs to be no more the 10 people to do the Mr. O. I've stated this in the past. This is supposed to be the best of the best and IMO only the winners of shows should be qualified for the O and in the case that the winner is qualified then the second place person should go in.
2. In regards to what's going on with athletes today? You want them to come in better shape, condition etc? Have the judges to hold more credence in those categories. Obviously it's bodybuilding so you want them to have size BUT far too many times I've seen the smaller more defined/conditioned bodybuilder get the shaft over the larger less conditioned guy....THIS NEEDS TO END.
3. You want them to compete more often, bodybuilders must be smaller. As you already know it's difficult for the larger guys to come in shape many times during the year. When this happens you have shows with 2nd and 3rd tier bodybuilders headlining shows. And guess what, we don't go to shows to see 2nd and third tier guys...So you want them to compete more often, CHANGE THE JUDGING STANDARDS cause we know the prize money won't go up.
4. Oh yeah the biggest mistake ever made and Flex, Shawn, Kevin and many others agree with me is not counting the posing anymore...You excuse was it wasn't being judged the right way it was dropped...Why weren't the rules ever enforced and the judges told, "hey guys, we're going to count the judging round now on actual posing." So for the first couple of shows when guys are getting bad placings for shitty posing they'll get the message and practice posing the way it shoud be.
5. The thing that sets todays bodybuilders apart from the guys of yesterday is everything you said but it's the size today. People are able to get in great condition what they aren't able to do is get this size at a young age. So as I said before, put more credence in coniditioning, separation, tie-ins and posing you'l lhave bodybuilder turning pro at a younger age, a better lineup, better physiques and people that are more interested in viewing and getting involved with the sport. This is progress Bob not adding 30lbs of slin muscle and adding 3-4 inches on the waist and losing the previously sharp physique. There really is no debating this, it's the truth.
6. Though a young at at 31 I've folowed the sport since 15 and its trends this is the answer. Not what is going on.