Ignorance is not an excuse..if you didn't know, thats YOUR problem. The President has the option to appoint a replacement in the event of an official stepping dowm, etc...as per the rules. That's what he did....once again, if you don't like my success rate and changes....run for it yourself.
***Ignorance?
Let me ask you:
Did you see on the Internet (as you said on the IFBB.com website) official post that IFBB president is looking for interested IFBB pro to become ATHLETES REPRESENTATIVE?
If so – can you post the link?
Can you name 10 other IFBB professionals who were aware of this?
Plain and simple – NOBODY KNEW…and why?
Because athlete’s representative SHOULD BE elected by the athletes.
Not long before – we all know what Shawn needed to go through to be elected…(Too bad he miserably failed – and walked away from his position – but that’s another story…)
Can you provide me (us) with the paragraph from the book of rules where The President has that option (to appoint a replacement)…
Now, everybody knows WHY you were “appointed” that position…and among the athletes (disgusted by the choice) – there is obvious dissatisfaction hence – NO SUPPORT….
Also, what kind of success rate are you talking about?
Your success is – getting exactly what you were TOLD to ask for…but sadly – not from the athletes…
Changes? What kind of changes did athletes asked you to make?
All the changes so far came as your “personal discussion with the office”…
Besides, as “office” requests from us to follow “proper channels” and put everything in writing…what happen with a written message to ALL THE ATHLETES – that indeed ATHLETES POSITION is available and for grabs…so interested athletes should send their application.
Once the office had a list of candidates – letter should have been sent to ALL the athletes and they could have easily give their votes.
I guess, proper procedure and “proper channels” are used ONLY one directional…
Shawn and I are the ones who created the position, as we felt we (the athletes) needed a voice...Wayne was the one who made up whatever rule of election he wanted...thE 50% rule was for getting elected, not making changes...that's up to whoever is the rep, they (the IFBB) doesn't dictate how we run our own rep position.
*****Shawn and you are the ones who created the position?
Please…
Position existed LONG AGO…but throughout the ages was lost…as not too many bodybuilders ever cared…
Since the 1991 I urged many athletes to form the position…to form the Union…and start ASKING FOR OUR RIGHTS…
I was reaching out to all the athletes even through the magazine articles (which I can possibly still find, scan it and post it here…) in early nineties…
Shawn was elected – as I made sure he gets DOZENS of votes from my European friends (IFBB professionals)…and I had to “smooth” many American pros who simply didn’t want to support “little prick” (as they so unanimously called him…
Anyway, POSITION of the ATHLETES REPRESENTATIVE should have never been APOINTED and especially not given to any athlete (you) without previously informing the athletes…
Post on the www.ifbb.com is just NOT acceptable “excuse”…as everyone knows – hardly any athletes go to this site…(especially to look for IMPORTANT information).
All of us sure expect to be informed (official IFBB letter) about the issue of such an importance…Unless is done the way it was done – on purpose…
Apparently it's not a waste of time, as the very proposals I submit, could be altered on a majority vote...if they choose not to attend, then they cannot bitch about the changes made on their behalf.
*****Let’s be REAL…
Your athletes meetings are organized so MAJORITY of the athletes CANNOT attend it – anyway…
During the Olympia or AC – when even COMPETITORS competing don’t want to attend the meeting – as they would rather stay in the rooms minding their own business (read: preparing for the show)…
Others, especially INTERNATIONAL athletes simply do not have the funds to travel to US and attend the meetings – hence they have NO VOICE with the way you REPRESENT us…
It is not about CHOOSING not to attend Bob…it is simply INABILITY to attend…and you are TAKING MAJOR ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
Your decisions and changes are YOUR OWN…and without a shadow of the doubt YOU ARE GROSSLY ABUSING YOUR POSITION!
And I do emphasize: GROSSLY ABUSE!
It is very sad fact that you can change TRADITIONAL RULES set decades ago simply by suggesting to empty walls at one of your “well organized” and yet even better attended meetings and get almost unanimous approval (nobody complains as NOBODY is present).
And...I can indeed make changes as I see fit, as I have and as I will continue to do so...It's not an abuse of power, it's called taking charge and making decisions...so far, I have yet to hear of one single complaint (other than you)...better money, health care, tickets, judging changes, rule changes, increased per diem...
***** And, you are indeed making changes ONLY YOU SEE FIT at expense of all of us….
Sadly, I agree with you: YOU WILL CONTINUE ABUSING YOUR POSITION which should have no power to make such a changes WITHOUT MAJORITY APROVAL from the athletes…
You NEVER contacted dozens of athletes to find out WHAT they really think of your changes…so OFF COURSE you would not hear any complaints…as pros HAVE NO CLUE what you are doing…
Usually – they are informed about the changes as they show up at the contests…and at that time complaining is LAST thing they would think about…
What happened at the Ironman wasn't MY fault...it was a miscommunication betwen Manion and Sandy as to update her on the changes...it was addressed and brought current at every show since
*****Interestingly – it was NOT YOUR FAULT?
I thought you said “PROPER CHANNELS”…proper procedures…etc lead to RESULTS…
What happened?
PLEASE...Your approach was anything BUT polite and soft spoken. It was your approach which inflamed the situation and made what was to be a productive discussion into a shouting match. Tuman took offense because you were telling him he was disrespecting the athletes...Amazing how much more mild mannered you are in your recolection....25 others will disagree.
*****Amazing how you NEVER listen…
I said it CLEARLY that indeed I did say to Tuman that NOT GIVING THE ATHLETES COMPARISONS THEY DESERVED IS DISRESPECTING…
I chose my words carefully – so I will spell it out what is BOTTOM LINE.
And bottom line is: if you don’t give the athletes their chance to compete you are disrespecting all the hard work (LIFETIME OF HARD WORK) they did in preparation for the show.
If judges ONLY think about this statement – maybe they would realize what I am trying to say…
I didn’t disrespect the judges…I made sure to let them realize THE BOTTOM LINE (what really means NOT getting the callouts…)
You can think whatever you want...Flex Wheeler put it to you as bluntly as anyone can. You were brash, confrontational and LOUD...anything but respectful. No one said you were uncontrolable. As said previously...your help wasn't needed at the time and made a spectacle out of what should have been a simple discussion.
*****Flex didn’t say anything about me being disrespectful…He said that my approach is CONFRONTATIONAL and I should be “politically correct” and speak certain way…
I thanked him for his opinion and told him that he is indeed entitled to have his opinion + I know that he means well…but I WILL ALWAYS DO WHAT I THINK I SHOULD…and that will NEVER CHANGE.
I think before I do something…
You can conduct all the polls you want...knock yourself out. Go for it.
***** You should conduct the polls IF YOU REALLY CARE WHAT ATHLETES THINK…but we all know the truth…
