Bob is on the defensive so lashes out. Ron joins the thread and reports that I do in fact call Chick names. Well, I am telling it like it is. Chick is a patsy for the Pro League and the IFBB. Can anyone imagine how pathetic bodybuilding must look to others not in the Irongame?
Anyone who has been around since the 1950s would have read the editorials of Peary Rader, Bob Hoffman, Joe Weider, Oscar Heidenstamn, and Bob Kennedy. These men had a vision for the sport and it wasn't what the sport has become now. I can't believe the sport needs a pro athletes rep. I can't believe that rep needs to be appointed. I can't accept that this rep explains how the athletes have a choice to use drugs and substances to compete at the highest level. Since when is that what the sport is all about?
The truth is bodybuilding has been a sham since goodness knows when. At least since the mid 1950s when Dianabol appeared in pharmacies. Who knows if some used testosterone back then? I started training in January 1959 and didn't try steroids until about March 1970. I took 2 Dianabol tablets a day for about 3 months. I got a bit stronger and filled out a bit, especially in the pecs. I tried Dianabol about 3 or 4 times in my career but never for any length of time. I concluded it helped a bit but there was no way I was going to be huge like Arnold and Sergio.
Contrast what I did with what is occurring today. Steroids are now a banned substance and the drug protocols are absolutely insane that the pros use. The women also abuse steroids and other drugs and look what has become of that sport. Bizarre, crazy, ugly and dangerous are words that come to mind.
When I began bodybuilding I was acutely aware that our sport was always knocked for one reason or another. I clearly saw that lifting weights was an assest for sports and I lived to see weight training accepted in sport and by the public. However, there remains a charge of extremism that cannot be denied. Who today can be proud of what is occurring in the sport? Would anyone want a son, friend or relation to aim at being a professional bodybuilder? The answer is a painful, "NO!" because it is no longer about building one's body but obtaining a shape and size by any means available. Competitors in open comps now need a drug adviser to know what to take and what to avoid. If we examine the men closely it is obvious almost all pros have had gynocomastia and other side effects. Instead of presenting with a healthy look, most appear bizarre with cuts accompanied by bloated midsections. Gone is the day when heroes like Steve Reeves could boast about his handsome appearance and excellent health.
I am all too aware of how the IFBB operates. I have personally witnessed how they recruit loyal associates and use rewards and punishments to keep members in line. There is no bodybuilding in the Olympics and today it is an embarrassment to even appear to be a champion. Well, I extend my congratulations to natural athletes, but I wonder how many resist the temptation to take substances when the gains stop? Why would a champion inject substances into muscles to win a competition? Whatever that quest is it is not bodybuilding.
I would prefer to debate hypertrophy training and design better training equipment than debate with Sophists like Bob Chick. As a philosopher, I am mystified why the sport has needed an apologist to defend the IFBB. The constitution of the IFBB looks good on paper but it is not followed and their rules and code of conduct is an ad hoc affair. Some rules are enforced while others are discarded. That is no way to operate a sport. Elections are necessary to provide accountability and fairness to everyone. We have witnessed some appalling decisions in professional bodybuilding contests. While we accept that beauty contests are always going to be controversial that shouldn't happen to a sport where standards have evolved and judging processes are applied in an acceptable manner.
I was absolutely amazed to visit Bodybuilding Com and see for myself what happened in the 2006 Masters contest staged in NY. I personally know Steve W. I mean, does he allow Bev to reply to emails? Talk about a controlling individual. I saw the report at one contest in New York where Steve stood up and challenged the audience! What the hell was that? Is this man now a big official in the IFBB? I shake my head. If he is then I am not surprised at what has happened to bodybuilding. The appointed officials all know how to play the game and remain loyal to those who appointed them. Bob C is but a pawn in this Pavlovian game where everyone knows what is required to get ahead in the sport.
Getbig is an interesting place. Ron suggests that I call some names. I wonder if Ron is part of the problem in bodybuilding. I mean, why should an owner of a discussing board allow others to call people names like pedophile? That is beyond the pall. Sure, the moderators remove such comments if you object to them and report them when they are made. When someone like Bob Chick suggests that I look like a pedophile then that is going way too far. I leave that comment up because I want others to see what happens to anyone who criticizes the IFBB. To hell with the corrupt IFBB. We have had to endure corrupt contest after contest. This happens in the major contests and at the local level. There were allegations made against officials in Asia. There have been charges made against officials in Australia. What does the IFBB do? They eliminate the 'problem' but keep their loyal officials and vice-presidents. It is a sham. Forthright guys who should be congratulated risk being marginalized, tarred and feathered, or banned from the sport.
If we look at what happened to Lee Priest then it is clear the IFBB is not a friend of bodybuilding. One outspoken guy after another gets booted out or silenced in one way or other. The list is growing. The first victims were guys like Sergio and Serge. Mike Mentzer was not allowed to win the Olympia. They were independent thinkers and a risk to the sport. So they were made outcasts and eliminated from the sport. Bev Francis was never allowed to win the Ms Olympia no matter what she did. I find it incredible that Steve is now part of the system that treated his wife so badly thoughout her career.
We have a former criminal who used to live with Arnold still running and promoting contests in Australia. There is no way to remove Paul Graham because he gets advice to change the name of his organization and the IFBB still accepts only Paul as the vice-president in Australia. There are no open elections. Talk about corruption! Why should any decent bodybuilding fan want to associate with guys like Paul? I stay far away from him and this crazy sport.
Anyway, most guys here on Getbig cannot read more than a couple of sentences so will accuse me of blabbing on and on. I won't be intimidated by Bob Chick or anyone else. I can stand up to jerks like Goatboy so can easily debate with stooges and the flotsam here. I recognize that there are plenty of intelligent guys here but most default to keeping things light and amusing. That is why Goodrum has become the fall guy. He entertains like no one else.
