BB contests are fixed and it is all politics? Come on!

[tendonitis]

the 2007 Olympia was FIXED.  Cutler looked terrible....no, he looked FUCKING terrible, he shouldn't have been in the top 6 after prejudging but somehow he was first. 

NOBODY honestly believes he won that show

[Chick]

how would having new Mr. Olympia's every year make the sport more profitable?

PLEASE tell me you really dont need this explained....

[stuntmovie]

Howard, I also used to judge AAU events and have judged NPC contests since the very beginning. I never have kept count but I'm sure that I have personally judged over 100 male and female NPC contests and can honestly state without an iota of doubt that each and every one of those contests were judged fairly and squarely.

ANd since I often served at Head Judge, I can also attest that those score sheets were tabulated honestly

I can't honestly state that all NPC events have been unquestionable because I was not at each contest to attest to that fact.

In all my years of BB, I have only personally witnessed two events in which there was outright cheating (or attempt to cheat) on the part of the judges .... AND NEITHER OF THESE EVENTS WERE NPC SANCTIONED.

And each event occured many years before most of you GetBiggers were even born.

Based on my personal experience, I have to agree with both Bob and Howard.

In opposition to SimplyHuge whom I consider to be an extremely honest and trustworthy individual, I'd have to say that the contest in which his brother lost to an unworthy opponent due to his gym affiliatio  was a distinct possibility but i'd have to say that it was an exception rather than the rule.  

And ..... I have never seen a family member agree with the  contest outcome when a family member places less than first.

And just about every event I have participated in ...... the person or persons who don't take the overall claim that it was all political.

On many occasions I too often wonder why so and so beat so and so, but that only occurs when I am seated a short distance behind the judges' 'table or express my opinions based on contest photos or when a good friend of mine doesn't win the overall.

I never have judged an IFBB event and I wanted to offer these remarks based on my personal experience within the NPC so I can't offer any positive remarks regarding IFBB events...... but if such cheating did occur ..... one of those IFBB judges would have complained over the year and none have as far as I'm aware.

(The biggest complaint of all time was the year that Arnold won the "O" in Australia but I wasn't there to see if any cheating was going on.)

[stuntmovie]

BTW, has anyone here who feels that contest decisions are less than honest - ever really presided as an official judge at a bodybuilding contest?

Do you have any idea how the scores are officially computed?

If you never have participated as an official judge, I strongly suggest that you contact your local NPC Chairman and ask if you can sit in as a test judge in an upcoming contest.

And I strongly suggest that you take this advice if you plan to be competing in the not too distant future.

You'll learn a lot and get an edumakation in the process.

[Chick]

Heres an article I did last year around this time.....enjoy



Bob servations this month: conspiracy theorists
Flex, Dec, 2008 by Bob Cicherillo

By the time you read this edition of Bobservations, the Olympia will have come and gone, and a champion will have been crowned. No show brings forth opinions from fans like the Olympia does. Not every once in a while, but every year, you'll hear fanciful stories of how the sponsoring supplement company was responsible, how the judges were bought, or how Joe Weider personally selected the winner.

We may as well start holding the event at Area 51, as there are thousands of fans who saw something... but they're not quite sure what it was. Forget that there are 11 judges, and that two high and two low scores are tossed out--someone will swear he saw a judge sitting on the grassy knoll who managed to score three rounds in a matter of 7.5 seconds!


 There will be people who believe that the whole thing was set up and staged, or that the contest was never really held and that Photoshop was used in an attempt to fool the fans. Shoot for the moon, I say.

Perhaps the IFBB is behind all of it. Is it possible the athletes' own federation set them up and sabotaged their own show? After all, imploding the stage would only serve to cost the sport fans, integrity and money. Speaking of money, if you fold a $20 bill a certain way, it shows the Twin Towers and the Pentagon ... and ... 9 11=20! Just the thought of it makes me want to dial 911!

Choosing the same champion year after year doesn't seem to bring any suspense to the table or excitement to the rematches. Wouldn't you think that we would have seen different champs winning if things were "set up"? If it was set up for Arnold Schwarzenegger to win in 1969, why was Sergio Oliva the winner? The fix was thought to be in for Lee Haney in 1983, but Samir Bannout stole the night. Speaking of Haney, wasn't he supposed to lose number eight to preserve Arnold's record? After Dorian Yates' run, Flex Wheeler was the heir apparent to the throne, but some guy named Ronnie Coleman showed up. Ronnie won eight himself--and was supposed to win number nine --but Jay Cutler beat him (finally). By the way, wasn't Cutler supposed to beat Coleman in 2001 to create some sort of rematch drama? And wasn't Gunter Schlierkamp supposed to win the Olympia after defeating Coleman at the 2002 Show of Strength?

Why are there so many theories? Why are we so quick to dismiss the obvious: that it was what it was. Is it like when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor... or was that FDR? If President Bush can manage to have Hurricane Katrina wipe out New Orleans, then anything is possible.

Hey, wait a minute. Maybe the Freemasons have a hand in this. After all, they have those cool little triangles hidden all over the place; maybe there are a few concealed in the IFBB crest. Could there be a higher power at work here? Surely the Vatican could have the results written in quatrains and hidden away in such a remote place that only Tom Hanks could hope to find them.

Once the stage is swept and the backdrop is dismantled, I can't wait to see what new theories are born in the wake of the 2008 Mr. Olympia. After all, who doesn't love a good conspiracy theory? To some people, it makes more sense than the truth.

[Albert Schmidt]

I think Milos might have a different oppinion to you Chick and Ron.

[Chick]

I think Milos might have a different oppinion to you Chick and Ron.

And I'm sure the guys who placed behind Milos have one as well....and so on, and so on....

[Bix]

Got that right...If Joe was picking winners (or anyone lese for that matter)...having 3 guys winning 22 years worth of Olympia's would have to be the dumbest business move of all time...

Haney
Yates
Coleman

I myself could really careless who wins or if they win year after year after year. I JUST WANNA SEE FREAKS!

[Albert Schmidt]

And I'm sure the guys who placed behind Milos have one as well....and so on, and so on....

         

                No I was talking about Milos and Mr Chua and corruption in BB.

[Vince B]

Paul Graham interferred with the results in the 1974 Mr Australia. He dismissed my vote after the prejudging so I changed my vote in the evening. Frank Burwash who was head judge assumed the results were the same as the morning so told Paul there had been a tie. Paul then recruited 3 other judges to the original 5 and the contest was rejudged. What happened? This time there was a tie! 4 votes for Ted Matush and 4 for Bill Robertson. Now Paul really had a dilemma. So he announced that audience applause would decide the result. Then Ted, the local champ, received the most applause which is to be expected because his fans were there. Paul announced that this wasn't fair to Bill from Western Australia. So he thought about it and announced that since the judges couldn't decide ALL the other competitors would judge the show! Schoolboys, juniors, novices and masters! Incredibly, the result stayed the same and Ted Matush won. This guy won the show 4 times on the one day.

The reason Paul caused all the commotion was because I had selected Sonny Gloynes first over Ted and Bill. Sonny wore sun glasses and was considered a musclehead. I had Ted second so that should have been accepted as my vote. Nope, this didn't make sense to Paul so he didn't count my vote. We protested with vigour but the guy with the microphone carried the day. Frank Burwash didn't examine the scores at night and when I informed him that I had changed my vote to make sure my vote counted he just shrugged his shoulders. What a total disaster this contest was.

Bill Robertson came back and won the Mr Australia in 1976 I think.


There is no doubt that the 1983 Las Vegas women's show was fixed. Bev Francis deserved to win but was placed 8th. Ben Weider fixed this result.

[Albert Schmidt]

Vince you do realize you are ruining your chances of ever winning another show.Now Please Don't mention the 1980 or 81 Olympia.

[Chick]

Paul Graham interferred with the results in the 1974 Mr Australia. He dismissed my vote after the prejudging so I changed my vote in the evening. Frank Burwash who was head judge assumed the results were the same as the morning so told Paul there had been a tie. Paul then recruited 3 other judges to the original 5 and the contest was rejudged. What happened? This time there was a tie! 4 votes for Ted Matush and 4 for Bill Robertson. Now Paul really had a dilemma. So he announced that audience applause would decide the result. Then Ted, the local champ, received the most applause which is to be expected because his fans were there. Paul announced that this wasn't fair to Bill from Western Australia. So he thought about it and announced that since the judges couldn't decide ALL the other competitors would judge the show! Schoolboys, juniors, novices and masters! Incredibly, the result stayed the same and Ted Matush won. This guy won the show 4 times on the one day.

The reason Paul caused all the commotion was because I had selected Sonny Gloynes first over Ted and Bill. Sonny wore sun glasses and was considered a musclehead. I had Ted second so that should have been accepted as my vote. Nope, this didn't make sense to Paul so he didn't count my vote. We protested with vigour but the guy with the microphone carried the day. Frank Burwash didn't examine the scores at night and when I informed him that I had changed my vote to make sure my vote counted he just shrugged his shoulders. What a total disaster this contest was.

Bill Robertson came back and won the Mr Australia in 1976 I think.


There is no doubt that the 1983 Las Vegas women's show was fixed. Bev Francis deserved to win but was placed 8th. Ben Weider fixed this result.

LOL...Jesus Christ Basile...you were even clueless back in 74....you were the only fool who had your guy in first out of 9 judges....should tell you something right there. Your score was dropped because it was the low score....happens at every show.

[Albert Schmidt]

Vince I do like the part about Mr Graham getting the audience to make the decision for the IFBB judges, sounds like a plan.35 years on and still trying to work it out.

[Ron]

the 2007 Olympia was FIXED.  Cutler looked terrible....no, he looked FUCKING terrible, he shouldn't have been in the top 6 after prejudging but somehow he was first.  NOBODY honestly believes he won that show

Actually, many people agreed with that decision. And if I remember correctly, six judges voted Cutler in first, and 5 did not. Dorian Yates, who was an IFBB judge that night, had him in third.  

I was at the photographers section that even, and I can tell you that half of us had Cutler first overall, and half did not. Simple as that.

Fixed - no way.  Once again, that is your opinion, and that is fine, but dont tell me it was fixed.

Paul Graham interferred with the results in the 1974 Mr Australia

1974! 35 years ago, you bring an example.  Jeez.  And as Chick said, you were the lone judge which did not agree. That is ok. That was your opinion.  Some people like apples and others like oranges.

[just_a_pilgrim]

And I'm sure the guys who placed behind Milos have one as well....and so on, and so on....

What about when you said everytime you were compared to Titus you beat him but at certain shows you weren't even allowed to be compared to him, and thus he beat you??

[Albert Schmidt]

Some people like Chick and others like Rusty.

[Chick]

What about when you said everytime you were compared to Titus you beat him but at certain shows you weren't even allowed to be compared to him, and thus he beat you??

What about it?

[just_a_pilgrim]

1974! 35 years ago, you bring an example.  Jeez.  And as Chick said, you were the lone judge which did not agree. That is ok. That was your opinion.  Some people like apples and others like oranges.

To be fair to Vince, it is Paul Graham .

A few years ago he gave Ivan Sadek a pro card, even though he finished 2nd in the pro qualifier, because he was worried if Ivan didn't come 1st his friends would start a riot. Maybe Messiah can correct me if i'm not correct but i think a few people were upset they didn't enter the show then because only 1 pro card was advertised.

[just_a_pilgrim]

What about it?

Do you consider that fair judging? Why weren't you compared to him? You were one of the tallest in any lineup and they didn't see you? Your structure should get you noticed over Titus even if you were off and they still put him ahead of you? How can you complain then but now say judging is fair? Do you think i should end every statement with a question mark?

[Chick]

Do you consider that fair judging? Why weren't you compared to him? You were one of the tallest in any lineup and they didn't see you? Your structure should get you noticed over Titus even if you were off and they still put him ahead of you? How can you complain then but now say it's fair? Do you think i should every statement with a question mark?

No...it was bullshit...thats why I was bitchin, and eventually got it changed. The old regime did a lot of strange things....still doesnt mean the contest was fixed, just that the judging process was skewed...not enough comparisons back then.

I always had a huge problem with calling out 4 guys, comparing them, sending them back, calling out the next 4, etc....tough to place a guy 4th/5th when they never actually stood next to each other for comparison

[Ron]

What about when you said everytime you were compared to Titus you beat him but at certain shows you weren't even allowed to be compared to him, and thus he beat you?

Titus beat Chick in those shows. Chick wasnt compared, wasnt given the chance to be compared, but Titus was the better overall bodybuilder on that day.  Like many competitors, to stand next to someone, especially when they place 5th vs 6th vs 7th is important. This was a complaint in a meeting and it was addressed. In the last 5 years plus, there are a lot more comparisons than there were before.

Some people like Chick and others like Rusty.

Correct. Some people liked Rusty's physique better that day, but many did not. You need to be there in many contests to judge fairly.

[chaos]

This topic seems to have really got under Ronaldos skin.

Or did he get a phone call about his press pass and decided he better help Chick out?

[tendonitis]

This topic seems to have really got under Ronaldos skin.

Or did he get a phone call about his press pass and decided he better help Chick out?

Bingo

[IronMagazine.com]

PLEASE tell me you really dont need this explained....

by your logic since Jay was dethroned by Dexter this years Mr. O should be much more profitable than last years? I guess we will see, I highly doubt it though.

[Vince B]

LOL...Jesus Christ Basile...you were even clueless back in 74....you were the only fool who had your guy in first out of 9 judges....should tell you something right there. Your score was dropped because it was the low score....happens at every show.

No wonder they appointed Chick to represent the athletes. The guy needs to shake his head hard!

There were 5 judges for the contest. No scores were eliminated. I separated the top three so my vote resulted in Ted having 2 firsts and 1 second. Bill had 2 firsts and a third. This isn't rocket science.

The point wasn't what I voted but that Paul wanted Bill to win because his physique was what Paul thought superior.

The NABBA system is superior to the silly IFBB points bullshit. Add up the places and the lowest total wins.

The 1975 Mr Australia was fixed by Paul Graham and Arnold Swartzenegger who were judges. They gave me such low scores that I placed last in my height class. I have a letter from Frank Burwash confirming this. In that contest no scores were thrown out. I warned Frank Burwash that Paul was going to put me low and Frank said he would watch out. Ha, Paul got even for my placing him behind John Kosura in a Mr South Pacific contest. Paul never did win the Mr Australia title.