Lee Priest pulls out of the 2005 Olympia October 6, 2005

Lee Priest has pulled out of the Mr. Olympia. The following below is the beginnings of a large thread and post on the boards at Getbig.com. This news comes a week and a half before the Mr. Olympia. OFFICIAL NOTICE: LEE has pulled out of the Olympia!!! (By Bob Cicherillo) His decision is based on his disapproval with the way the show is run and handled, he beleives he has to stick to his word. The contract for the show is toataly restricting and one sided all the way for the promoters to the point it is dissrespectfull to the athletes in some instances. The promoters requirements of the Athletes prior to the event is totaly unnessacery and shows no compasion for the compettitors. The athletes have to participate in promotional products for the promoter which have the potential to earn millions of dollars with not one cent being given back to the athlete. The athlete has to sigh away his rights to image and likeness for promotianl and product endorsement with no financial compensation what so ever, plus in most cases go against there Sponcers obligations and rights. All the athlete gets to be at the Super Bowl of Bodybuilding is there flight paid for, a room (with no cooking facilitys, and no microwaves) plus a $50 buck meal allowance, and 1 ticket to the event. If the athlete chooses to stay at a hotel other than the one given to them (because of cooking reqiurements) no transport will be offered to them to get to and from the event. The judgeing is not independently monitored. The challenge round is a joke and takes away the anticipation of the top 5 plus the money offered in this round should be used to pay for athletes lower down the placeings or should have been put to the Womens Olympia , which has been demoted to haveing their show held in the EXPO hall! These issues are just some of the problems faceing the Olympia, and are issues shared by alot of the compettitors, its just that lee is a man of his word , so hes out, but not done by any amounts, trust me Notes and Comments From Bomb: Who cares? The last time he did the O he placed what, 16th? The guy is always talking, never backing it up. He probably gave in and binged on KFC yesterday bloating to his usual 250 lbs. So many athletes train hard year-round for just a chance to compete at the O. Now here comes Lee Priest, spitting on his qualifying spot like it means nothing to him. How about 40 years of history Mr. Priest? No class. From Lee Priest: First what do you know? NOTHING - And no, I am in shape been doing photos for MD. Am I spitting on my qualifiying spot? I think not. Just cause I choose not to compete in a show that is not what it used to be is my choice.When the show returns to what it was - then I might change my mind. Anyone going in that show who thinks they will win over Ronnie or get second over Cutler is very out of touch with reality From Triceps: I wish you were doing the O, but I respect your decision and I wish you the best. I know you're thinking for the greater good of the athletes and want to bring change. I respect that. From Mr. Beck: I don't blame you Lee. I applaud your courage to stand up for what you believe and not bow to the powers that be. From Lee Priest: Sorry for sticking to what i believe. My true fans will respect that.If i do the show then i have no respect for myself. I will be at the expo from 10 am till 5pm everyday so my fans will have no problem seeing me or talking to me. From Phyxsius: I would agree with Lee there... From Bomb: Yeah, just a chance to step onstage with Cutler, Coleman, Ruhl, Badell, Fedorov, Schlierkamp, Charles, James, Warren, Mohamed,Cormier, Taylor, Martinez... It's called competition. A small man called Shawn Ray got the shaft 13 times and took it like a man. Why can't you? If you put your mind to it, you could crack top 4 easily. What's wrong with that? From Triceps: I respect that you stick to your guns and it takes alot of courage to do that. I do respect you, it's just a shock after I was excited for months to see you compete. You would have been top 4 bro. But I appreciate your reply, its an honor chatting to you online like this. You're still the best bro, I'll catch you at the expo and hopefully some of the 2005 spring shows From Lee Priest: How can it be a competition when we know some of the outcome. I get to stand on stage with those guys at the Arnold and other shows through out the year.If it was the Arnold and the same guys where there and i knew i couldn't win i would still compete s- hit i know i sometimes will never make top 3-4 at shows but i still go. You see it is the contract and the way the O i run. That is why i am not doing it. From Tony: I think you are doing right by choosing your integrity over anything else. I've seen you at the gym, it must be hard not to compete knowing you are on your game. This just makes me wonder what it will take for your sport to change its ways... From DB2431: A real man would step up to the plate and show the world you are still going to show what you have built.Like bomb said, Shawn Ray never bitched,sounds like you are running scared. From Bix: Plus you're dam sick of the dieting , now come on admit it From Cool Cycle: Don't get why your gripes are different for the O than any other show. Actually, at a lot of shows (like NY last year) they paid NO EXPENSES. Here, you get the usual daily meal money, free travel, free room, and a 37% bump in prize money to $550,000. They pay out nearly twice as much as the Arnold, the Arnold loads its prize money almost entirely on the very top, and the Arnold doesn't give you any of the other things you're asking for. Your anger seems misdirected. I know you've had a lot of personal stuff going down the past couple years, and I hope you can pull things together. You used to seem like a much more carefree guy, and now you just seem bitter and angry at everything. I hope to see you the O stage again, if not this year, than next. You belong with the best in the sport. From Bomb: Priest is bashing the Olympia. By bashing the O, he is bashing the men who proudly step onto its stage. Bodybuilding's grandest stage is no joking matter aussie_wanna_be_big. This is about respect, dignity and honor. Fron NJFlex: Shawn Ray was a great bber,but saying he didn't bitch and just competed.he was one of weider's top gun's,in his 15 year's he got more mag covers than anyone and that include's all 3 olympians he competed against.shafted i think not. From Ron: No, Lee isn't doing the right thing at all. He signed a contract, and is not committing to what he signed. That is bull, and Lee, I will say it to you at the expo. You knew when you signed it what was going to happen. You read the contract, the deal, and you were the first to send in your contract. There are no surprises here, you have been here before. A week before the show, you pull out. You have fans everywhere who want to see you on that stage, and pulling out a week before is very uncool. You got your room with the special kitchen, you have everything you need, but you pulled out. Not cool Lee. The Olympia is a contest that many would love to be in. You have earned that right to compete there. We all make money of the sport - but pulling out. If you didn't want to compete, then you should not have signed, and then you have a right to give your reasons. I would understand then. But the promoters have put your name and pictures in advertising, press releases, and much more. If you had your own show on, you wouldnt want someone to do that do you either.Imagine how Shawn Ray would feel if a week before his Colorado show, a pro pulls out. Not cool. From Eulogy: I respect your decision to veto the O! It is a slap-in-the-face contract, that basically says: We (Weider) Own You. That's not how any other competition works. Why should BBing ?Stay your course, and your fans will always follow and support! Best of luck and good health. From Dawoud23: Lee is doing what he has to do. I would personally like to see him on stage, but sometimes you have to stand by your convictions. Why get taken advantage of when you don't have to be? I wish him the best. For those few guys hating on him get a life. There is no honor in being pimped. From McBack: Ron has a valid point. If Lee objected why did he sign in the first place? Sounds like at best Lee signed the contract and then tried to negotiate terms which didnt eventuate, and we all know that negotiating after you sign a contract aint gonna work. Given that he's been dieting and training and looks in great shape from the pics, I cant help suspect something's suddenly gone wrong with his contest prep.....or he's done a deal to do another show and is saving himself for that. From Triceps: You might think Lee isn't doing the right thing, but can you honestly say that you agree with the Olympia contract the way it is? I have alot of respect for Lee not caving into pressure. That takes alot of guts for sure and I respect that. Lee is right, if more pros did what he did than Weider would be forced to make concessions, rather than rip off the athletes. From Lee Priest: Yes I did sign it going against what i believed in. But the more i thought about it - i just couldn't bring myself to do it. Yes i have a room with a kitchen which Twinalb paid for. Yes i have a flight to the O which Twinalb paid for. You see - i told the people doing the O to cancel my stuff awhile ago. I have been competing for 20 years. if i feel a show dose not treat the athletes right then i will not compete. Yes the Ironman show prize money has not gone up but it is a good show. the Arnold say no more treats us like gold, the gnc show was better then the O but look what happened to it. Yes i could do the O and go against what i believe in and make good money if i finish in top 6 whcih is possible but this isn"t about money it"s about the sport and us as athletes getting treated right. So put on a good show and people will not pull out.Shit i could have lied and said i was sick and got a note from a doctor. No i want people to know why i am not doing it. They need to make changes and sometimes it's like being in a relationship the little things can make a big difference. From Bob Cicherillo: I know there are things that need to be addressed, and you know I'm on the case... but I don't see where pulling out of the O does any real good, or makes any point. Ron actually summed it up in a nutshell...you knew the contract when you signed it (same as last year)..I got the ticket situation changed, your already commited by contract to compete (you know you'll be fined and suspended).... I ask you to reconsider...it's not too late. I understand your frustration, and agree with a lot of what you say...but boycotting to O at the 11th hour isn't the way to make change happen, and certainly not in a positive way. I know you'll be at the Athletes meeting...lets do our talking there, in a forum where it makes a difference. Many of the item you brought up has already been submitted for consideration at the Pro Div. meeting. The balls in your court, your in if you want to be in... From Lee Priest: Bob i thought i could bring myself to do it but know i will not do it SIMPLE. The contract says nothing about suspension this year it states i will owe the promoter . IT SAYS If the athlete does not compete in the competition for any reason other than mediccal, then the athlete shall reimburse the Compnay for all costs and exspenses incurred by Company (if any) in reliance on athlete's participation in the competition, including but limited to costs and exspenses related to the consideration promised to the athlete hereunder. From Disgusted: I've gotta give Lee credit, he has balls. Maybe he should not have signed in the first place but I understand where he is coming from. A lot of guys talk but NEVER follow through. Sad thing is there will never be a union for these guys cause everone is scared to voice their opinion. No offense to Chick but these meetings don't mean shit. Bottom line is this. The athletes will never get anything that the IFBB does not want them to have. Never happened, never will. From Bob Cicherillo: Actually, this is the FIRST meeting of it's kind...so there is no prescedent. And you are wrong about them not listening...both Shawn and I have gotten many things changed, including increased purse, sanction fee's and prize monet paid up front, paying all the way down the line, ticket choices, etc. There is a protocol to instituting change, and a proper presentation...both have been done. From Shawn Ray: Sounds like I have been down this road before, the more things change the more they stay the same. This show first of all, is Bigger than One Athlete. If Lee does not want to compete, there are 22 other guys who still do. Respect the man's decision, stop by his booth and buy a picture from the guy and wish him well. That being said, there is still Prize Money out there to be had and this is a BUSINESS! I spent the better part of 15 yrs competing in Pro Shows winning 3 times with 1 Disqualification (Meaning 16 weeks of dieting & training for no pay when all was said and done) and believe me the contest for me, was only a Spring Board to gain financial security by way of: Guest Posing Appearances, Magazine Intervierws/Articles, Seminars, Being one of the Best in the World, Traveling the World while being PAID, Gaining Sponsorships through Powerhouse Gym, Saranac Gloves, Pro Fitness Clothing, Flex Equipment and others! If Lee does not want to compete because he disagrees with the contract, so be it.Others for example, will look upon this as One Less Athlete to Contend with. I will be there as a fan regardless of 1, 2 or 3 guys drop from the show. Hell the number 4 guy Dexter is sitting this out by choice, someone else will get that pay check, and...? In truth, no one even cares, only the athlete that has to make the decision to sit out. At the end of the day, Lee may make more money signing pictures, as there is no guarantee of peaking and hitting the Big Bucks! In this world, "Cash" is KING! Enjoy the Expo brutha and the show, as an athlete we sometimes simply get too lose the game to stay in it. A sideline view might be the kick in the pants you need to Peak again like back in Australia From Matt C: Yeah, Lee shouldn't have signed the contract to begin with and backing out isn't cool, but we all make mistakes. I think his reasons for not wanting to compete are good. From Vikingpower: of course ... y be a man and honor your commitments From BrooklynBB: Although I'd love to defend Lee because I'm a huge fan of his, I can't. Lee, you made a deicision to do it when you signed the contract. Instead, you treated the contract as something that can be broken - sort of like giving someone your word and then saying, "Well, I said I'd do it but things came up - I can't do it anymore." Regardless of how you reason this, you would have made a bigger impact on stage and perhaps posing to a certain type of music, getting special audio prepared for you that calls for change, said something at the press conference - voiced yourself in a different way than sitting it out. Because honestly, what you've become is a mascot to the event, rather than part of the excitement. Too bad - you were looking pretty amazing in those progress pictures. I hope you change your mind.