The NPC didn't come into existance until the late 1970's . Before that , all the big amatuer US- BB events ,like the Mr America, were run by the AAU. The AAU wanted to promote Olympic lifting and other related sports along with bodybuilding.
The founders of the NPC realized that a lot of bodybuilders wanted an organization , just for them.
The IFBB began years before the NPC as the world amatuer and pro divsions of bodybuilding . For example, they started the Olympia and eventual pro circuit we have now.
I remember getting my first NPC card application, 30 yrs ago at a BB meet and expo. I was told by the rep, that this new NPC was a pure bodybuilding organization. Unlike the AAU, bodybuilding would be the ONLY sport they would promote. I signed up that day and paid my dues on the spot.
At this years 2010 nationals, figure and bikini were at least 2/3 of the entrants and time on stage in the finals.
Since this is the NPC's flagship national event, I must conclude it represents the ideals and best of what the NPC has to offer.
Based on simple numbers, the NPC has shifted from mosltly bodybuilding to mostly figure and bikini.
The official policy is to now add more figure based entrants in the form of male fitness physique. In this class the men will wear knee length board shorts and be judged more as a "beach body".
I want to be part of an organization that is about bodybuilding NOT figure or bathing suit contests.
The numbers and what I saw speak volumes about where the NPC is now and where they headed.
I am not sure what will happen exactly, but I do know that the NPC isn't the same "BODYBUILING only " organzation I first jioned 3 decades ago.
