Columbus, Ohio --- The 2008 Arnold Amateur IFBB International Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships will come to the annual Arnold Sports Festival in 2008 with an international focus and an expanded schedule.
In a precedent setting move, the event will be open to IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilders) Amateur Competitors throughout Europe, Asia, Canada and USA's NPC (National Physique Committee) – the governing body for amateurs in the America. Amateur athletes will compete in men's and women's bodybuilding, women's fitness, and women's figure.
“The Arnold Sports Festival is proud to announce this historic collaboration between Rafael Santonja, President of the International IFBB, Jim Manion, President of the NPC, and Classic Productions,” said Jim Lorimer, producer of the Arnold Sports Festival.
Rafael Santonja added, “The IFBB is most pleased to further our relationship with the Arnold Sports Festival. The inception of this competition will create a premiere opportunity for amateur athletes around the world.”
Bob Lorimer, a co-director of the event with the Fitness Factory’s Mike Davies commented, "We are thrilled to once again allow top amateur athletes an opportunity to compete on the legendary Veterans Memorial stage in Columbus, Ohio where every icon of the sport has competed. This opens our competition to international exposure and broadens the scope of the entire Sports Festival," added Lorimer. "The level of competition will increase and it will advance the sport."
2007 was the inaugural year for the Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Competition. The event was a huge success welcoming the best amateurs in the sports of bodybuilding, fitness, and figure from across North America. The 2008 addition of a world-wide range of top level IFBB athletes will introduce a great new competitive and prestigious dimension to the Arnold Sports Festival.
