2011 Olympia - Olympia boring / lost it's prestige

[bike nut]

Bullshit story...."rich" men don't text.

[gh15]

Perhaps you should remind your "friend" that the Olympia is in Vegas, not LA.....


God , youre a retard

L O L

i am laughin so hard lol i cant stop laughing

gh15 approved

[gh15]

Yeah...that makes a lot of sense, retard....so your friend spent money for tickets, then left when the men started (which was the beginning of the show)??

Left after the National Anthem..?

lol

[Palpatine Q]

hahahaha great post, chicky can't take it, no one cares about the olympia, naturals friend did other things more interesting, the show sucked he said in the text.

Right  

His imaginary "friend" flew to Las Vegas with tickets in hand to see the Mr Olympia contest...and then changed his mind before it started  

[reppingfor20]

Right  

His imaginary "friend" flew to Las Vegas with tickets in hand to see the Mr Olympia contest...and then changed his mind before it started  

his friend can have a lot of money, floyd mayweather was buring 100$ bills, natural has many friends, so how can you say his friend didn't send him this text, it isn't like the olympia tickets cost as much as superbowl tickets LOL.  there is plenty of other stuff to do in vegas too that is much more fun than watch men on stage pose down.

[bike nut]

This getbig story is about as believable as the one about the 46 year-old lifetime "natural".

[kiwiol]

hahahaha great post, chicky can't take it,

But we all know you can, and do, up your ass, as long as it's well over 8".

[#1 Klaus fan]

1. The playing of the American national anthem at what is supposedly an international sporting event is, I think, in bad taste. Of course, it is unrealistic to play the national anthems of all the countries represented by the competitors so the most logical thing to do is to not play any anthem. At the very least, it would give the impression that the non-American bodybuilders are not facing an uphill battle for recognition or that the IFBB is not just a little boys club. After, it is the International Federation of Bodybuilders, right?

USA is pretty much the only country to implant their anthem and flag in every place possible. Please, stick 'em up your ass, the rest of the world has done it already.

3. Whether or not Heath is a legitimate Mr. Olympia is a nice discussion for fans but unless the judging is accountable and transparent, such discussion will ultimately lead nowhere. Clear and unambiguous guidelines for what the judges are looking for - and having those guidelines expressed in the scoresheet - will go a long way to making bodybuilding at least appear as a sport. At the moment, all one gets is a result but no details.

Judging should be more open in evere way.

4. A sense of tradition and respect for the sport's history goes a long way in establishing a sense of legitimacy for bodybuilding as a whole. The incremental chipping away at the value of things like posing, lines and presentation for competition only add to the freak show mentality. Bigger is not always better when you start to make yourself look stupid. Understanding this helps to understand why someone like Frank Zane was not just a 'swimmer' and why Chris Dickerson, despite only winning one Olympia, was probably the best physique competitors in bodybuilding history. Many fans, however, cannot see past 'awesome' and their approach to the sport suffers accordingly.

Bodybuilding is kind of cool just because of one person, Arnold. Past should be respected, yes.

5. Ultimately, bodybuilding needs to present itself more as a sport than as a business (which it obviously has to be) or as a 'jobs for the boys' club.

Hope this helps.

Present situation is a direct result from poor prize moneys.

[MikMaq]

Rednecks like bodybuilding stupid retards like the anthem played,.That's not gonna change. Anyhow IFBB is a joke for all intents and purposes.

[JasonH]

1. The playing of the American national anthem at what is supposedly an international sporting event is, I think, in bad taste. Of course, it is unrealistic to play the national anthems of all the countries represented by the competitors so the most logical thing to do is to not play any anthem. At the very least, it would give the impression that the non-American bodybuilders are not facing an uphill battle for recognition or that the IFBB is not just a little boys club. After, it is the International Federation of Bodybuilders, right?

They shouldn't have played the American national anthem at all - there really is no need for it. I've been to a Mr Olympia contest (2008) and felt at the time that it was irrelevant.

2. If the amateur talent pool seems limited, then bodybuilding needs to appear more inspirational if participation is to increase. Promoting a freak show is all good and well and the number of fans (re, gawkers) may very well increase (thankyou internet) but unless people are actually participating in the sport, then ultimately bodybuilding will collapse upon its own illusions of success. IFBB management need to be careful not to be deluded by the success of the Olympia and the Arnold.

Who says people aren't participating in the "sport"? Gym membership is at an all time high but you're always going to be limited when it comes to the hardcore competitive element because drugs are involved - that type of extreme behaviour doesn't appeal to the average gym member and rightfully so. Competitive bodybuilding will always be an underground subculture and will only ever appeal to a select few - trying to promote it will just draw more attention to illicit drug use.

3. Whether or not Heath is a legitimate Mr. Olympia is a nice discussion for fans but unless the judging is accountable and transparent, such discussion will ultimately lead nowhere. Clear and unambiguous guidelines for what the judges are looking for - and having those guidelines expressed in the scoresheet - will go a long way to making bodybuilding at least appear as a sport. At the moment, all one gets is a result but no details.

Heath won the contest fair and square - I know bodybuilding is subjective, but there was no doubt that when taking into account the paramaters needed to "win" the show, then he was the guy who fit the criteria the best. But I do agree, judging needs to be more transparent - the result of the 202 was very suspect in my opinion.

4. A sense of tradition and respect for the sport's history goes a long way in establishing a sense of legitimacy for bodybuilding as a whole. The incremental chipping away at the value of things like posing, lines and presentation for competition only add to the freak show mentality. Bigger is not always better when you start to make yourself look stupid. Understanding this helps to understand why someone like Frank Zane was not just a 'swimmer' and why Chris Dickerson, despite only winning one Olympia, was probably the best physique competitors in bodybuilding history. Many fans, however, cannot see past 'awesome' and their approach to the sport suffers accordingly.

That's just a matter of opinion - I don't think I've ever heard anyone say Chris Dickerson was one of the best physique competitors in history. They were good for their time but naturally bodybuilding has progressed since then.

5. Ultimately, bodybuilding needs to present itself more as a sport than as a business (which it obviously has to be) or as a 'jobs for the boys' club.

Bodybuilding will never be a legitimate "sport". Why can't people just accept that? We are the freaks, an underground subculture - why should we be trying to aspire to someone else's ideals? Let the masses come to us - why should we be trying to please them?

Hope this helps.

[MikMaq]

Dude bodybuilding could grow quite easily actually. IF steroids were the issue MLB would be sunk , the problem is they've let it turn into a freak show, if they want to save the sport they need to set bmi limits, and up the volume on seniors bodybuilding, and womens bodybuilding. Also they'd have to start being highly selective on who they want as the there spokes people. Jay dosen't have the charisma to run a starbucks(I wish I were joking) but we all know it's true.

[erics]

That's just a matter of opinion - I don't think I've ever heard anyone say Chris Dickerson was one of the best physique competitors in history. They were good for their time but naturally bodybuilding has progressed since then.

The idea of the sport progressing has nothing to do with what guys like Dickerson achieved in their time.

In terms of physique competition, Dickerson has to be ranked as probably the best ever. Not only was he active throughout the 60s, 70s AND 80s, he also competed in the AAU, NABBA, WBBG and the IFBB, winning top titles or placing high in all of these organisations. From 1979 to 1982, he dominated the IFBB pro circuit. I can't think of anyone off the top of my head who can boast that kind of record.

It's a blight on the sport that many fans do not seem to be able to appreciate not only how good some of the older guys actually were but also why they were that good.

Bodybuilding will never be a legitimate "sport". Why can't people just accept that? We are the freaks, an underground subculture - why should we be trying to aspire to someone else's ideals? Let the masses come to us - why should we be trying to please them?

It's hard to make the masses come to us if there is nothing appealing or inspirational about it...

In anycase, the problem is not that we should be trying to aspire to someone else's ideals but rather that the sport itself has moved away from its own ideals.

[Cleanest Natural]

I agree with erics.. it's going to shits unfortunately

[drmarkp]

This years Olympia was the swan song, or at to say the least, a glimpse into the ultimate destiny of many of the top contenders-Heres why-

Dennis Wolf: Will never bring up the calves nor round out the rest of his physique. For this reason, no matter how conditioned he comes in, will never win an Olympia. He can perhaps, eventually win a contest like the New York pro at most..

Kai Greene: For who knows what emotional reasons, cannot get it together when it counts, and for whatever political reasons, will never again beat Phil Heath nor win an Olympia.

Jay Cutler: Should be smart and retire. Too long in the sport and his body is starting to show signs of wear and tear. No one likes the look of his physique anymore. He can never again in life, beat a Phil Heath.

Victor Martinez: Could have probably been the best Mr. Olympia ever. Just cannot or will not (too laid back) get shredded. That fact combined with getting up there in age and personal setbacks, will never win an Olympia.

Branch Warren: Though not present, if he decides to continue competing in the O in the future-like Jay, he will be given the sympathy vote possibly topping out the top 3 or so. His physique is maxed out and not looking any better for wear. Young upstarts are on his heels in the way of the Brandon Currys and Evan Centopanis etc. etc. He will find himself usurped by these individuals very soon if he doesn’t step aside while he can.

Dexter Jackson: Poor guy, as long as he has the desire to continue competing, he is kind of obligated to keep going into the Olympia; Kind of a catch 22 because he will struggle every time just to stay in the top six. He should do/win masters and retire.

This, coming from someone who would have loved to see anyone of these guys beat Phil Heath..

[MB]

There's a lot of talk now about Phil never losing again, maybe winning 7,8, or 9 Olympias.  You can never tell what's going to happen that far down the road, but we're probably in for the most boring stretch of Olympias we've ever seen. 

[G_Thang]

There's a lot of talk now about Phil never losing again, maybe winning 7,8, or 9 Olympias.  You can never tell what's going to happen that far down the road, but we're probably in for the most boring stretch of Olympias we've ever seen.  

if he wins 8 or 9, i'm done with bbing.  some still think kai will pull away from the table and come in shape.  who knows?  there is still the chance kulco (arlington) or evan will just size up, in which both of those guys hang around 6 feet, and evan is the one who can get grainy. phil is still a small bber along the lines of dexter, not a mass monster.  

[Tito24]

very boring mr o we have now. ronnie was a true mr o.

[Dr Dutch]

Wolf will get implants, Kai will never win for political reasons, Victor's done, Jay was always done, Heath will stay mr O for a decade, I'm afraid.
And Warren should be thrown into the meat grinder..

[lovemonkey]

And Warren should be thrown into the meat grinder..

I thought he'd already been 

[erics]

I agree with erics.. it's going to shits unfortunately

The success of the Olympia and the Arnold makes people think that bodybuilding is going well.

Most pro-contests still offer the same amount of prize money they did 20 years ago. (And if the promoters are making more money, why isn't any more of it being channeled into prize money? Then again, after decades of having no union, I doubt bodybuilders are going to get together to form one now...)

In anycase, the recent decision to limit qualifying for the Olympia to just the winners of pro shows is a step in the right direction.

[drmarkp]

Wolf will get implants, Kai will never win for political reasons, Victor's done, Jay was always done, Heath will stay mr O for a decade, I'm afraid.
And Warren should be thrown into the meat grinder..

In Wolf's case, calf implants would be fully justified