I initially posted this question on RxMuscle and the thread got over 1,500 views and 150 comments. I was very pleased with the response and friendly ongoing debate between myself and
IFBB Athlete's Rep. Bob Cicherillo; however,
GetBig.com is a major force in the bodybulding industry and I was really hoping to get some feedback here as well. I truly believe that fans wield enormous power at the grassroots level and rarely pool it to get what they/we want.
I feel that FBB, Natural Bodybuilding, and Masters bodybuilding are somewhat on the backburner when it comes to the IFBB. The NPC, however, makes all the accomodations for the aforementioned fields - as well as including disabled and couples. I know this may sound harsh, but the IFBB could take lessons from the NPC on how to be professional.
From 1994-2003 the Masters Mr. Olympia was the pinnacle of Masters bodybuilding - and then poof! it was gone. Cicherillo claims that Masters shows don't make enough money, and he also claimed that the show he won (the 2006 Masters Pro World) didn't make the promoters enough profit, either.
Still, I believe that if amateur masters can get procards at the NPC Nationals and USA's, then (consistently-held) masters-level shows at the IFBB level should be in place. It's simply not fair and not entertaining to see a guy that goes pro at 39 or 40 having to vy against pro's in their 20's or early 30's. I'll be interviewing the last
Masters Mr. Olympia Claude Groulx on
http://StrengthAddicts.com, but until then, any feedback?
Since 2003 there have been Masters shows, but no Masters OLYMPIA. The title should be restored!