Tough to continue doing anything when/ if you're suspended...unfortunatel y, you won't have a voice or any clout to be heard. You wanted to be a one man army...do things "your way"...that was your choice, Instead of working with me, and within the system to get somewhere and make change.
BOB:
I'll get the exact date for you...there was no previous, as Shawn stepped down. The job was posted on the IFBB site for any and all who was interested....apparently, I was the only only one who wanted it.
Apparently – you were the ONLY ONE who knew about it…
Now, we all know what happened when Shawn was trying to get that position…
We needed to VOTE and MORE THAN 50% of the IFBB professionals had to agree for Shawn to be our representative for him (hence there is the answer for your question about above 50% of the pro’s rule).
I know very well how many of my European friends (IFBB professionals I had to contact and ask to give Shawn their support…) and we all know what happen at the Olympia when we came up with those few extra votes needed for MAJORITY number (or OVER 50%)…
BOB:
I need 50%? According to who's rules...yours? I'm the representative...I make changes as I see fit, in the best interests of the IFBB athletes. If anyone has a problem with those changes, or disagrees...they are free to let me know as I see most of them throughout the year...to date...YOU are the only one complaining. If the athletes don't like my representation, they can choose to elect someone else next time...
Read previous answer…
Obviously I don’t make the rules….
If Wayne requested from us before – it is logical to believe that indeed THERE IS a “majority” (or over51%) rule.
You CANNOT make a changes as YOU SEE IT FIT – and that is exactly what you are doing – ABUSING YOUR POSITION.
Changes that only YOU and handful of others see appropriate.
You say “in the best interest of the IFBB athletes”?
Give me ONE EXAMPLE…
Also, I am not the only one complaining… A LOT OF OTHERS are not happy…but most of them just don’t bother being involved (thus nobody even attends your “athletes meetings” as they consider it COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME).
BOB:
See above.
What changes do the "majority" want to see that hasn't been addressed and/ or changed at this point? Talk specifics..
How about exactly:
#1) MORE COMPARISONS…
This is absolutely number one priority – and due to your “proper channel” approach – it took us many years to finally be considered…than even heard and understood…and finally – ACCEPTED…
According to you AFTER A LONG WAIT – starting with 2007 season you officially got us what we’ve been waiting for…= MORE COMPARISONS.
Do I really need to remind you what happened at the Ironman?
Now, regardless of what you are going to say (and indeed you told Jim Manion that I was running there and screaming at Sandy…when in reality I went there to ASK what happened?
I politely reminded you about what you informed us (to expect more comparisons) and than made a comment to judges: “Please understand that EVERYONE here would love to see MORE comparisons – starting with the athletes, than fans, photographers, reporters….magazine editors…etc…but mostly: THE ATHLETES.
You don’t seem to disagree with me about the subject (need of more comparisons) but about my approach?
While yours obviously failed AGAIN…and AGAIN…I purposely pointed out THE MOST IMPORTANT issue in this whole situation…and that is RESPECT!
I wanted to “hit the nerve” and tell the truth about:
“If you don’t realize – by not letting the athletes fight/compete for their placing you are disrespecting their hard work and tremendous sacrifices they have to endure to look the way they do…
I know that most of the judges DO LOVE athletes…
I have no doubts that Jim Manion see us all as his sons (as he told me that so many times), I am sure that Big Steve also loves and cares for the athletes as he was step by step next to Bev…than Dorian…and God knows how many people from his gym…
John Tuman (who had a problem with that statement) only got insulted because he DOES care (his training partner is competitive NPC competitor)…so I know that when I put in prospective THE TRUTH (lack of comparisons = lack of respect for the athletes) – they WOULD THINK ABOUT IT…and MAKE THE CHANGE…
Rather than being politically correct and following certain “proper channels” which produced NO RESULTS year after year…I think that “my way” is just a little bit better – as people WILL THINK about what is really going on here…
Now, with all the attacks on me…and even physical challenges issued – I think I handled myself very professionally and besides being accused of “uncontrollable raging bull” – I didn’t even thought about starting the fight…
Again, I am working for the athletes…and at the same time I respect the officials.
Just because I am pointing out to them their mistakes – and some are just too sensitive to admit their mistakes – we came to this…
But, I am sure that if we just all get together and openly discuss this issue – we would find the best solution in no time.
And to mention OTHER changes:
#2) Published scores with Individual judging score sheets
#3) Increased prize money
#4) Increased number of shows
#5) Better judging system (with ways to “measure” subjectivity…and I DO HAVE A SYSTEM that would make A LOT OF SENSE TO EVERYONE…)…etc
#6) Medical coverage
#7) Gazillion OTHER issues…
BOB:
They don't attend because they don't care...simple as that. Obviously, they are content/ pleased with the job I'm doing judging by the overwhelming ZERO complaints I've received so far. You can check the results and my % of getting proposals approved from the last 3 meetings if you wish.
Yes, I wish to check EVERYTHING you care to share with me…
Also, I would LOVE to see how many pros would send you their approval and claim they are pleased with the job you are doing…
Care to send the questionnaire to all the pros and have their responses publicly revealed?
BOB:
Tough to continue doing anything when/ if you're suspended...unfortunatel y, you won't have a voice or any clout to be heard. You wanted to be a one man army...do things "your way"...that was your choice, Instead of working with me, and within the system to get somewhere and make change.
Tough is the way I live…and suspended or not means nothing to me – other than – I will have to work around the suspension – and find the way to be “unsuspended”…
I don’t want to be a “one man army”…but as some warriors say: “I might be the only one…but I am the ONE you have to deal with…”
Fighting for the right cause makes a fighter that much more dangerous…
It is not the number…or a weapons…or anything else that matters…IT IS HEART what makes all the difference.
