Howard, if I cannot convince you about ending steroids in bodybuilding then what hope have I to convince anyone else? If the educated among us accept and support these practices then we deserve to be a subculture forever.
Somehow, somewhere, sometime and some way the intelligent people in this sport must make a stand. I don't consider Bob to be a friend of intelligent bodybuilding. He condones the use of banned substances and insists it is a choice. Goodness me, who would appoint a guy like that to represent the best interests of athletes? That is preposterous. Bob is simply a pawn of Jim Manion who has an iron grip on the professionals. It is all about control. You have to qualify to get a pro card and then qualify for the Olympia. These processes keep everyone in line. Jim Manion has a loyal group of people helping him run the show. The problem is this clique is hardly an open group and those insiders do not have to listen to anyone. There is no accountability.
Bodybuilders have to pay fees to belong and can't compete where they like. The reason is simple. The top title is Mr Olympia and as long as the IFBB controls that contest then bodybuilders will be like sheep and Bob with herd them together and nip at any strays like Lee Priest.
I talked to Lee yesterday about why he wants to compete if the system is so corrupt. He says he does it for his fans. That doesn't seem to be a good enough reason for me. He knows that it is way too expensive to take the IFBB to court and they know this. Unless a millionaire bodybuilder challenges the IFBB through the courts then nothing is going to change. I fear we are going to get more of the same for some time.
At every show the head judge will call out the 3 finalists and probably in a special order so that the other judges know where to place everyone. Ah, the system is insidious. The fans complain all the time but the winners never do. Bob Chick gets a gift in the masters and the best guy in the line up gets 8th place. Yes, Bev Francis, Lee Priest and Sergio Oliva know all about that number.
The fact that I have to come on a discussion board and even debate these facts is sad. Nothing will be changed because it doesn't pay anyone to stand up and speak out. Who is the Pro committee and what qualifications do they have? Who picked the judges for the controversial contests? I mean, surely Manion didn't pick the judges for the Masters Pro? Who picked the first call out in that contest? Ah, the blatant corruption and I have to argue with guys given gifts! It is absurd. When absurdities are the bottom line then something stinks in this sport. Oh, I forgot, it is the American way that is to blame! Thanks, Bob.