Bob, Ben and Joe hailed from Montreal. They put their life's work into this sport. Ben tried his best to get some respect shown towards officials at bodybuilding contests and, thus, the requirement of judges and officials to wear appropriate blazers and tie when representing the IFBB.
Those protocols and decorum should be respected and maintained by all officials when they are at contests performing official duties. If you don't like to wear a tie but are the only such person then you can't represent that person because of rule 22 of the official pro rep's rules. Rule 22 states that you cannot act on behalf of just one person. At least be consistent and not rewrite the code of conduct pages.
I wonder if Bob's cavalier attitude is sufficiently respectful of Joe and Ben? Gosh, Bob, you seem like a nice bloke. Just out of respect for Ben you should wear that tie. Anything less would be disappointing for the IFBB's favourite son.
Mr Basille, I may not agree with all your ideas but I do respect you and your style here on this forum.
Sadly much of the basic human decency and basic manners is now viewed as old school and for "old farts" .
At actual contests most are decent friendly folks and Bob is a class act and wonderful MC.
Like you I have seen the sport change over the years. On the good side, it is bigger with more shows, more gyms and more info on bodybuilding now. ON the bad side, the drug use and wacky behavior is over the top now.
The bodybuilding forums are rarely places where folks use their names or attempt to engage in a real debate like gentleman. I still love bodybuilding and my opinion of Bob Chic does differ from you, etc. However, I respect you as a man and your candid yet reasonable style here on this forum.
All the best, Howard in ga