World’s Largest Physical Culture Collection Gets $1 Million and 25 New Artifacts AUSTIN, Texas — The world’s largest physical culture collection, located in the H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports at The University of Texas at Austin, has received a $1 million gift from physical fitness icons Joe and Betty Weider, along with their pledge to donate around 25 unique paintings and sculptures from their personal collection.
This is the second $1 million gift the Weiders have given to The University of Texas at Austin. To acknowledge the Weiders’ generosity and honor their lifetime of achievements in the field of physical culture, the Stark Center announced that its galleries related to the history of “Physical culture” is a broad term that originated in the 19th century and that refers to many ways of promoting strength, health and vigor. The attainment of health and strength could be through purposive exercise regimens like running, resistance training, cycling, swimming, athletics, field sports and walking, as well as through proper eating habits, recreation and rest. Reflecting the breadth of the term, the Stark Center collections include books, magazines, photographs, correspondence and artifacts related to physical fitness, sports, nutrition and alternative medicine.
The Weiders’ involvement with The University of Texas at Austin began in 2004 when the Weider Foundation pledged $1 million to create the Joe Weider Physical Culture Endowment Fund. Interest from that fund has supported work related to the Todd-McLean Physical Culture Collection, a donation to the university from Drs. Jan and Terry Todd, longtime faculty members in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education and record-setting competitive lifters.
At the time of their first $1 million gift, the Weiders indicated that another $1 million would be forthcoming when the university provided a large space to serve as permanent home for the Todd-McLean Collection. In 2006, the Todds secured a $3.5 million gift from the Nelda C.and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, and that gift triggered The University of Texas at Austin’s decision to allocate 27,500 square feet of space at the north end of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for the collection. The collection was named in honor of Lutcher Stark, who served on the University of Texas System Board of Regents for 25 years.
Fulfilling their promise, the Weiders presented their second $1 million gift and pledged paintings, sculptures, books, photographs and other rare artifacts from their private collection.
Dexter Jackson took the long trip across the ocean to visit Romania, where he promptly logged another win with his new title as the 2008 Mr. Olympia! Ronnie Rockel, who placed 14th at the Olympia, took second place here, while Martin Kjellstrom took third.
While fans of Martin Kjellstrom were happy with his third place finish, is it fair for Martin to be able to compete in the 2009 Olympia over others that are more qualified, but couldnt make the trip to Romania. That is the question that has been asked in terms of qualification to the big O.
Here are the complete results for the 2008 Romanian Grand Prix.
With the IFBB Men’s Pro season now complete, the 2009 season starts a litle earlier than normal. For the IFBB Ironman Pro contest has been moved up next year. Instead of being two weeks before the 2009 Arnold, it is now 6 weeks before, on Saturday, January 24th, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. That means that in order to compete in this contest, you need to start dieting now.
It also means that with the top FIVE at this contest qualifying for the 2009 Olympia, we are going to have a pretty diverse and interesting contest as to who will compete. For many of the seasoned veterans have to decide whether to peak here and also at the Arnold, or just forgo the Ironman, and assume they have an invitation for the Arnold.
Never is a better time for someone who thinks they deserve to compete at the 2009 Olympia to do his best, and snag a top five placing here. The Ironman is one of my favorite contests of the year, as we never know who is going to be in shape and who will surprise us for the new season. This year is the 20th anniversary of the contest, and Lonnie Teper will once again be hosting the show.
Also, the Fit Expo, the largest expo in California devoted to the sports nutrition industry will be there on the same weekend. So make sure you know the date, and we will see you there.
Dexter Jackson will be going to Timosoara, Romania to compete in the 2008 Romanian Pro Grand Prix, which will be held on October 11th. The top three at this event will qualify for the Olympia.
Here is the competitor list so far…
1. Khalid Almohsinawi, Netherlands
2. Hanni Glanville, United Kingdom
3. Dexter Jackson, USA
4. Martin Kjellstsrom, Sweden
5. Cesar Mendible, Venezuela
6. Migger Milazzo, Germany
7. Manfred Petautschig, Austria
8. Ronny Rockel, Germany
9. Armin Scholz, Germany
10. Sergey Shelestov, Russia
11. Tommi Thorvildsen, Norway
12. Ricky Welling, United Kingdom
At the 2008 Ironman Pro, Isaac vs. Ron went at it in the Gladiator Jousting Challenge, and Ron pulled through, with a blow that sent Isaac off the ground. At the 2008 Olympia, once again, the two went out it again, while Lonnie Teper was the emcee of this event. Two rounds, and the so-called ‘Experts’ fought there way towards a battle in which LT gets knocked down at the end!
Ok, well maybe we aren’t the ‘experts’ out there, but Lonnie Teper, Isaac Hinds, and Ron Avidan do manage to have lots of fun, and enjoy the Olympia weekend to it’s fullest. Right after the results of the 2008 Mr. Olympia, we made a video discussing on what we thought, who won, and if our predictions that we made actually came true.
Many thought it could not happen, but it did. Dexter Jackson beat Jay Cutler to win his first Mr. Olympia title. Jay, again, was not at his very best at Friday night’s prejudging, but managed to lose 12 pounds by Saturday night to fare much better, and even win the night. However, the point spread was too much from Friday, and Dexter was crowned the champion. It was an unreal moment, and Dexter received a huge standing ovation that last for quite a long time.
Phil Heath, in his first Mr. Olympia, reached the upper stardom with 3rd place, proving that he isn’t just all talk and no action. Prove he did, prompting some people to say that Phil might even win next year.
Here are the complete results, along with the scores.
Adela Garcia was injured this year, so she didn’t compete, which guaranteed us a new Fitness Olympia winner. And Jen Hendershott dominated this year, exploding to another win in the year in which we heard retirement rumors from her. Tracey Greenwood placed second in her best Olympia showing yet, and Kim Scheideler (formally Klein) placed third.
Here is the complete scorecard results of the contest.
Over a favored Gina Aliotti in the hype before the contest, Jenn Gates became the third Figure Olympia champion as she looked absolutely perfect. Jenny Lynn, last year’s winner, came in 4th place, while Zivile Raudoniene looked spectacular in her third place finish.
Here are the complete scorecard results from the Figure Olympia.
There is no stopping Iris Kyle. Once again, she has won the Ms. Olympia contest, and four times out of the last five. It truly was no contest this year. Iris again looked great, and defeated Betty Viana-Adkins, Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia, Lisa Aukland and Dayana Cadeau, in that order. Between second to fifth, the scorecard was extremely close, and the final round did matter, when many say it doesn’t.
Well, it is time to work out, even when you are in Vegas at the Olympia Expo.
That is because Muscletech is setting up a full size gym on the floor to work out! They are also having the following athletes give seminars / training sessions there. This gym will also be available for the attendees for a free workout.
Friday:
11-12: Branch Warren
12-1: Richard Jones
2-3: Deshaun Grimez
3-4: Joel Stubbs
Saturday
11-12: Deshaun Grimez
12-1: Richard Jones
2-3: Shaun Crump
Wow. Six IFBB contests were held in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Friday and Saturday, with two weeks left to go before the Olympia Weekend begins. For Bodybuilding and Fitness, this was the last time to qualify for the Olympia, and there were quite a few that competed.
Melvin Anthony wanted to show everyone that he will be a force to be reckoned with at the Olympia, defeating Johnnie Jackson and Darrem Charles here, who took second and third. Heavy favorite Toney Freeman dropped to 4th place, while Joel Stubbs took 5th. King Kamali, who we predicted would do well, did improve from his last contest, but still placed 6th. For complete results, click below
The Master’s Atlantic Pro Men’s Bodybuilding looked like the other men’s show, except missing from the lineup where Melvin Athony and Johnnie Jackson (who are not 40 yet). Here are the scorecard results.
Can anyone stop Tracey Greenwood? It doesnt look like that, as she has dominate the contest she has entered in the last few months, although coming to the Olympia, it is a whole new ballgame. With 14 competitors competing here, it was a good chance to qualify for the Olympia. Mindi O’Brien and Laticia Jackson took 2nd and 3rd. For complete scorecard results, click below.
Congratulations goes to Jennifer Gates for winning the contest, with Amy Fry and Jane Awad coming in second and third. One of out favorites, Desha Rodriquez, came in 4th. Here are the complete results.
Two weeks away from the 2008 Olympia, and the Mr. Olympia, Ms. Olympia and Fitness Olympia qualified competitors are complete, with only the IFBB Tournament of Champions left to go to qualify in Figure. So far, 87 competitors are qualified to compete this year, and here are the lists, in order of how they qualified.
Ah, the guys at Flex Magazine have made some funny videos featuring Jay Cutler and Dexter Jackson in their comedic best as they rival on who will look the best for the 2008 Mr. Olympia. Here are a few of the videos.
The 2008 Olympia Video Series is on a roll, and so far, seven videos have been filmed. Watch as Bob Cicherillo, courtesy of Bodybuilding.com, goes around the country, visiting various competitors as the get ready for the Olympia, and watch them trains, joke around, and answer questions. Here are the first 7 video series.
