IFBB Shakedown: Official Press Releases May 18, 2004

For weeks, we have been hearing of the rumors that Wayne DeMilia, the main man who took care of the IFBB Pro shows, was out of the IFBB. There were many rumors going around, the first being that Wayne was forming another federation where the pros can compete. We all have been waiting for the official word from the IFBB and American Media. Today, May 18th, 2004, we got it. The IFBB and AMI have announced that they will have a 50-50 venture in the Olympia, and they will continue to maintain their relationship. More on reactions and comments soon.

The IFBB and American Media Inc partner to produce the Olympia competitions. Form 50/50 joint venture of worldwide television broadcast to take event to new heights and present unique sponsorship opportunities

Montreal, Canada, May 20, 2004: Ben Weider, President of the International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB), and David Pecker, Chairman, President and CEO of American Media Inc., announced today that the two companies will be forming a joint venture to produce one of bodybuilding's best know professional events, the Joe Weider Olympia competitions. The 2004 event will be staged at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, October 28-30. This landmark agreement will see the IFBB and AMI join forces to produce the world's premiere professional bodybuilding, fitness and figure contests that comprise the Joe Weider Olympia Weekend. This historic alliance between the sport's governing body and one of the largest publishing companies in the USA raises the prestige of the Joe Weider Olympia to a whole new level. The Joe Weider Mr. Olympia has produced some of the sport's greatest bodybuilding icons, like Lee Haney, Dorian Yates, Ronnie Coleman and Arnold Schwarzenegger, 7-time Mr. Olympia winner. The Ms. Olympia debuted in 1980; the Fitness Olympia in 1995; and the Figure Olympia in 2003, adding names like Cory Everson, Lenda Murray and Susan Curry to the growing list of stars. "The Mr. Olympia is the Super Bowl of bodybuilding and this partnership between AMI and the IFBB will allow us to promote it so it achieves that degree of worldwide recognition", said Mr. Pecker. Mr. Weider added, "AMI and David Pecker were so enthusiastic about getting behind the Olympia property that the IFBB had to find a way to make it work. Muscle & Fitness and Flex are the #1 magazines in the industry and with their marketing power and David Pecker's commitment to success, this was the perfect partnership." Muscle & Fitness and Flex recently named world renowned bodybuilding champion Arnold Schwarzenegger as Executive Editor of both magazines. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in a statement on the partnership of AMI and the IFBB said, “The pairing of these two great organizations will take the Mr. Olympia competition and weekend to new heights. It will also bring the sport to new audiences and give it even greater exposure”. As the details become firm for the 2004 competition, the partnership is already looking for sponsors to get behind this strong platform to reach this passionate and dedicated audience. "We intend to make the Olympia the biggest event in Las Vegas in late October and a must-see for everyone in town. And, as we fine tune our broadcast plans and promotional packages, advertisers and sponsors from a wide range of categories will see the potential this event presents to reach millions of fans, both here and abroad", Mr. Pecker said in regards to the marketing opportunities for the event. American Media Inc. is one of the largest media companies in the U.S. and the leading publisher of celebrity journalism, health and fitness and Spanish language magazines. These include the all new glossy Star magazine, Shape, Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Flex, Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health magazines; the largest newsstand Latino magazine, Mira!, Shape En Espanol and Thalia magazine; the National Enquirer; the best selling country music magazine, Country Weekly; and more than 200 mini-mags and digests. AMI recently launched its own book division with 10 titles released to date. In addition to print properties, AMI owns Distribution Services Inc., the country's #1 in-store magazine merchandising company. The IFBB was founded in 1946 by brothers Joe and Ben Weider. Today, it has National Affiliates in 174 countries worldwide, making it one of the largest sport federations in the world and the only bodybuilding organization recognized (since 1969) by the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), the International World Games Association (IWGA), and over 90 National Olympic Committees. IFBB President Ben Weider is a recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Order of Canada, Order of Quebec, Order of St. John and French Legion of Honor, as well as being a Nobel Peace Prize nominee. Mr. Weider is also president of the International Napoleonic Society, a noted historian, lecturer, author and philanthropist.

IFBB announces restructuring of its Professional Division

Montreal, Canada, May 20, 2004: The International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) confirms its withdrawal of the appointment of Wayne S. DeMilia to the positions of IFBB Vice President Professional Division and Chairman IFBB Professional Committee. The IFBB also confirms that Wayne S. DeMilia is no longer associated with the Joe Weider IFBB Olympia competitions or with any other IFBB event or activity, except for the 2004 Night of the Champions. All inquiries regarding the IFBB Professional Division, the Joe Weider IFBB Olympia competitions, IFBB Professional Membership Cards for Athletes and Judges, or any other IFBB event or activity should be directed to: Jim Manion, Vice Chairman IFBB Professional Division P.O. Box 3711 Pittsburgh, PA 15230 Tel: (412) 276-5027 Fax: (412) 281-0470 E-mail: info@ifbb.com

IFBB introduces new Professional Division Management Team

Montreal, Canada, May 20, 2004: The International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) is pleased to announce a restructuring of its Professional Division with the appointment of Eric Weider (USA) as Chairman and Jim Manion (USA) as Vice Chairman and Pro Judging Director. Eric Weider is Chairman of the board of directors of Weider Nutrition International, Inc., President and CEO of Weider Health & Fitness, and IFBB General Secretary. Jim Manion is Chairman of the National Physique Committee (USA), IFBB Vice President for North America, and IFBB Assistant General Secretary. "Both Eric and Jim bring an unparalleled wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise to the IFBB Professional Division", remarked IFBB President Ben Weider. "They are dedicated, trustworthy and loyal IFBB officials - passionate about the sport; well-respected by the business and sport community; and excited about the future development of professional bodybuilding, fitness and figure within the IFBB." Also appointed to the IFBB Professional Division Management Team were Tony Blinn (Canada) as Secretary and Rafael Santonja (Spain) as European Pro Director. The complete Management Team will be announced on or before May 31, 2004.

New Welcome Message From Ben Weider

Dear Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Enthusiasts: On behalf of the International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB), I am pleased to welcome you to the new Official Website of the IFBB Professional Division. In 1946, my brother Joe and I formed the IFBB with only two countries - Canada and the USA. Today, almost 60 years later, the IFBB has 174 National Affiliates, making it one of the largest international sport federations in the world. The IFBB is the only bodybuilding organization that is recognized by the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). It is a founding member of the International World Games Association (IWGA); is recognized by over 90 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and participates in IOC-recognized Regional and World Games. Its Amateur Division continues to experience steady annual growth as a direct result of the selfless dedication, strong commitment and tireless efforts of thousands of IFBB officials around the world. Joe Weider created the IFBB Mr. Olympia in 1965, recognizing the growing need for a true "Champion of Champions" event. In 1975, at the IFBB International Congress in Pretoria, South Africa, the first IFBB Professional Committee was created (with Arnold Schwarzenegger as its first chairman). Olympia, the IFBB Professional Division has achieved many milestones of its own. Olympians like Larry Scott, Sergio Oliva, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franco Columbu, Frank Zane, Lee Haney, Dorian Yates and Ronnie Coleman are sport icons. The IFBB Ms. Olympia debuted in 1980; the IFBB Fitness Olympia in 1995; and the IFBB Figure Olympia in 2003, adding names like Rachel McLish, Cory Everson, Lenda Murray, Kim Chizevsky and Susan Curry to the growing list of stars, many of whom would be inducted into the online IFBB Hall of Fame. IFBB.com, host of the new Official Website of the IFBB Professional Division, serves over 150 countries worldwide each month and plays a unique and invaluable support role by providing up-to-date information on our worldwide activities, both amateur and professional alike. On behalf of the IFBB, I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks and heartfelt appreciation to the Athletes, Judges, Promoters, Officials, Supporters and Fans of professional Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure. A very special thanks to my brother Joe, whose wisdom and vision over the years, and support in magazines such as YOUR PHYSIQUE, MUSCLE BUILDER/POWER, FLEX and MUSCLE & FITNESS, has proven vital to the success of the sport, the IFBB, and the IFBB Professional Division. Yours in health and fitness, Ben Weider, CM, CQ, SBStJ, PhD IFBB President