What does "POLITICS in BODYBUILDING" Really mean?

[The True Adonis]

I see this phrase a lot here and have struggled to even define it.  Are there factions within bodybuilding that people align themselves with?  Do people make trade offs, giving up something to get something?  Are their compromises and litigation?  Is there a campaign season?  What system of rule can best be applied to the "politics of bodybuilding".  What political theory is bodybuilding based off of?  Who are the candidates and what are the issues?

[BroadStreetBruiser]

I guess politics would serve to influence one thing over another? What is the motivation behind it?

[dr.chimps]

Whatever it is, Nasser is a 'victim' of it. 

[The True Adonis]

I guess politics would serve to influence one thing over another? What is the motivation behind it?

All this squabbling over plastic trophies and ceramic commemorative plates.  Seems like they could just Guest pose at their local Wal-Mart in the garment section and when they are done, go buy a few plates and a plastic trophy and forget the politics.

[gordiano]

All this squabbling over plastic trophies and ceramic commemorative plates.  Seems like they could just Guest pose at their local Wal-Mart in the garment section and when they are done, go buy a few plates and a plastic trophy and forget the politics.

Another favorite is, "you gotta pay your dues", bullshit.

[240 is Back]

another way to look at it...

BBing shows exist for what purpose?

1) To further the perfection of the human physique
2) To make money

Now, anytime the answer is 2, then you'll have the potential for manipulation of factors to benefit those who are making money, or, longterm sustainability of the sport itself as an earner for all parties involved. 

Look at it this way... did Haney, Ronnie and Dorian deserve every Sandow?  Probably not. But did it serve the sport better to have a dynasty, in terms of marketing efforts, product branding, and cult personality recognition with fans.

maybe.

[BroadStreetBruiser]

another way to look at it...

BBing shows exist for what purpose?

1) To further the perfection of the human physique
2) To make money

Now, anytime the answer is 2, then you'll have the potential for manipulation of factors to benefit those who are making money, or, longterm sustainability of the sport itself as an earner for all parties involved. 

Look at it this way... did Haney, Ronnie and Dorian deserve every Sandow?  Probably not. But did it serve the sport better to have a dynasty, in terms of marketing efforts, product branding, and cult personality recognition with fans.

maybe.

People don't do anything to any noticable level unless their is a motivation to make a profit from it or it remains a hobby.

Weider for example probably cared about physical culture but liked it more because he could make a buck off it. Politics in this case could be a marketable person winning a show to promote your products verses a guy who is an introvert or fucks fruit on the side.

[240 is Back]

People don't do anything to any noticable level unless their is a motivation to make a profit from it or it remains a hobby.

Weider for example probably cared about physical culture but liked it more because he could make a buck off it. Politics in this case could be a marketable person winning a show to promote your products verses a guy who is an introvert or fucks fruit on the side.

There are lots of ppl who are involved with the sport because they love it.  They attend shows, collect mags... it's a hobby.

There are others who are in it for profit, of course.

I think the term 'politics' involves manipulating any factors to increase either profit or longterm sustainability of sport or brand.  It's a part of business. 

[NarcissisticDeity]

Whatever it is, Nasser is a 'victim' of it. 

lmao best post

[El Diablo Blanco]

if you don't schmoe you don't go

[The True Adonis]

I was hoping someone could spill the beans on the backroom deals and actual politicking.  Shouldn`t there be known agreements if this kind of stuff were taking place?  Surely somebody has a story to tell if this is the case.

[ripitupbaby]

I see this phrase a lot here and have struggled to even define it.  Are there factions within bodybuilding that people align themselves with?  Do people make trade offs, giving up something to get something?  Are their compromises and litigation?  Is there a campaign season?  What system of rule can best be applied to the "politics of bodybuilding".  What political theory is bodybuilding based off of?  Who are the candidates and what are the issues?

Yes.

[CalvinH]

Yes.

Haha

[Mars]

Haha

 

[Captain Equipoise]

I was hoping someone could spill the beans on the backroom deals and actual politicking.  Shouldn`t there be known agreements if this kind of stuff were taking place?  Surely somebody has a story to tell if this is the case.

I'm sure it involves getting on your knees in front of the judges...if you know what I mean..

[liberalismo]

This is what it means:

[G o a t b o y]

I see this phrase a lot here and have struggled to even define it.  Are there factions within bodybuilding that people align themselves with?  Do people make trade offs, giving up something to get something?  Are their compromises and litigation? 

Let's see, they trade off their self-respect (and anal virginity) to judges and "sponsors", they compromise their integrity everytime they open their mouths and claim their physiques were built by Muscletech, they compromise their long-term health with every additional compound they inject.  Any more? 

[Hulkster]

it means this:

[Van_Bilderass]

it means this:

Was Yates winning predetermined? Were the judges bought off? How was it orchestrated? How was the deal kept secret?

The politics involved means popular opinion influences the judges, like everyone. If there are actual deals made with predetermined winners please give an example.

[NarcissisticDeity]

Was Yates winning predetermined? Were the judges bought off? How was it orchestrated? How was the deal kept secret?

The politics involved means popular opinion influences the judges, like everyone. If there are actual deals made with predetermined winners please give an example.

Great post ! he can't and wont he's been called on this eons ago. he's not to sophisticated he's the moron who claims Ronnie dominated in 2001

[The True Adonis]

So everyone claims politics but there is zero evidence of backroom deals and secret agreements?

[kiwiol]

Politics in bodybuilding is a load of shit and just another excuse the competitors who lost or placed lower than what they were expecting (along with the people who support them, such as family, fans and friends) use, to try and justify their feelings or placings. Bodybuilding is subjective and not objective like a running race, where he / she who reaches the line first wins. So every person has their own opinion on who should have placed where and why. And when that doesn't happen, the losers and conspiracy theorists among them scream politics.

Every single conspiracy theory and assertion about politics has been disproven in bodybuilding - saying the Mr Olympia will be awarded only to Americans or Whites or Blacks, saying that the Mr Olympia title is about establishing long-term reigns and dynasties, saying that judges are racially and ethnically biased etc etc

Judging isn't done by one person - it's done by a whole panel of people, so there goes the theory that if you aren't in a judge's good books, you will end up paying the price (the highest and lowest scores are eliminated in bodybuilding, BTW). Look at Team Nasser who scream politics as the reason why Nasser didn't win the Mr Olympia, even though there are TONS of people (including myself) who think he always got beaten by a better bodybuilder.

Team Nasser says Nasser didn't win because of race, which got disproved when he won the Arnold Classic. They say he got marked down for being Arab, when he won tons of contests and was placed as high as second place in the Mr Olympia. Nasser won and lost contests in the same year, in front of different judging panels, in different countries, just like his counterparts such as Shawn, Flex and K Lo, none of who were as dominant as Dorian or Ronnie during their reign.

Not saying there is no politics in the IFBB, just that it doesn't play a role, at least to the extent some of the people here say.

[240 is Back]

Every single conspiracy theory and assertion about politics has been disproven in bodybuilding

Every one?  Really?



Link?

[kiwiol]

Every one?  Really?



Link?

Haha how do you mean 'link'? There isn't a dedicated webpage that has a Q&A or 'Theory:Fact' section that lists them one by one. Mind you, I am aware of situations like the ones the WBF guys had to face when they came back to the IFBB, Sergio Oliva's situation and so on. I'm talking about the IFBB now, where the decisions don't boil down to Joe and Ben Weider (i.e individuals).

Feel free to list some theory and prove me wrong, 240 - I am only talking about contest decisions and not anything else. You won't find a single factor that doesn't have an exception or a decision that isn't subjective.

[240 is Back]

Every single conspiracy theory and assertion about politics has been disproven in bodybuilding

First you say there are no politics.

Not saying there is no politics in the IFBB, just that it doesn't play a role, at least to the extent some of the people here say.

Then you say it doesn't play a role.
Then you say it only plays a minor role.

I'm just trying to nail down your position.