Mr. Olympia - why only in Las Vegas?

[slaveboy1980]

Not to get political, but recall since 9/11 it is *very* hard for some nationals to get into the USA.....so that impacts international people attending. Bodybuilding is hugely popular in my region, but so many people who would attend and can easily afford cannot gain access to Vegas.

For most my people to get entry we must pay a fee and undergo a personal interview with the US embassy [which can take months for an appt], have a set amounts of funds, not be in the miltary, have never had any contact with police, sometimes a full medical is required, and the most restrictive rule is we must have held a job with the same company for 2 years prior....so if you recently switched jobs, forget it.

That is just some examples, there are tons of restrictions. In say London, Toronto etc there is easier access for us, so with Vegas, I know they knock out many from dozens of nations from being able to attend. Just my international perspective here...........

"jesus christ", the terrorists really won.

altho i try to avoid discussing world politics on getbig.

[CQ]

"jesus christ", the terrorists really won.

altho i try to avoid discussing world politics on getbig.

Yeah, sorry about that......wasn't trying to be political, just explaining the background of why some international people may not be able to attend.

[slaveboy1980]

Yeah, sorry about that......wasn't trying to be political, just explaining the background of why some international people may not be able to attend.

no no...i meant that I try to avoid politics on here..not that anyone else should 

[CalvinH]

Why isn't the Mr. Olympia held in other continents/countries too except Las Vegas - America??
It's called Mr. Olympia for some reason.......if you know what i mean.......

Because the competitors would be afraid of going through customs

[slaveboy1980]

Because the competitors would be afraid of going through customs

opposed to customs in USA?  hahahahhhhhhahaha

[CalvinH]

opposed to customs in USA?  hahahahhhhhhahaha

Most guys are from the states,not 2 hard to have a connection in Vegas.

[Meso_z]

Most guys are from the states,not 2 hard to have a connection in Vegas.

Your point is true, but we must think about the fans of this sport who are all over the world....

[willie mosconi]

Not to get political, but recall since 9/11 it is *very* hard for some nationals to get into the USA.....so that impacts international people attending. Bodybuilding is hugely popular in my region, but so many people who would attend and can easily afford cannot gain access to Vegas.

For most my people to get entry we must pay a fee and undergo a personal interview with the US embassy [which can take months for an appt], have a set amounts of funds, not be in the miltary, have never had any contact with police, sometimes a full medical is required, and the most restrictive rule is we must have held a job with the same company for 2 years prior....so if you recently switched jobs, forget it.

That is just some examples, there are tons of restrictions. In say London, Toronto etc there is easier access for us, so with Vegas, I know they knock out many from dozens of nations from being able to attend. Just my international perspective here...........

where are you from?

[dantelis]

I think that the Olympia planners are trying to compete with the success that is the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic.  By keeping the Olympia in a single site, they can plan much easier and can add more events and competitions every year.  Plus, the majority of the audience is in the U.S., so they are catering to the bucks.  I haven't attended either the Olympia or the Arnold, but from what I have heard, the Arnold puts the Olympia to shame in terms of size, production values, etc.

I agree with others, however, and think that they should move the Olympia around every year.  Gives it a much better, unique international feel. 

How about having the 2008 Olympia in Germany somewhere, so Dennis Wolf's hometown fans can see him win the Olympia!   

[slaveboy1980]

I think that the Olympia planners are trying to compete with the success that is the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic.  By keeping the Olympia in a single site, they can plan much easier and can add more events and competitions every year.  Plus, the majority of the audience is in the U.S., so they are catering to the bucks.  I haven't attended either the Olympia or the Arnold, but from what I have heard, the Arnold puts the Olympia to shame in terms of size, production values, etc.

I agree with others, however, and think that they should move the Olympia around every year.  Gives it a much better, unique international feel. 

How about having the 2008 Olympia in Germany somewhere, so Dennis Wolf's hometown fans can see him win the Olympia!   

yeah so wolf can defend his titel in europe. and yeah the arnold has been bigger than mr o for several years....some years the winner at the arnold was the best bodybuilder of the year.

[bigdumbbell]

Vegas is where the action is.

hope this helps.

[slaveboy1980]

Vegas is where the action is.

hope this helps.

what action? not on the olympia stage atleast 

[CQ]

where are you from?

The Caribbean, but what I said applies to numerous nations, at least 100 or so. That said, I am in the US constantly using a perfectly legal way to avoid the visa issues. They can be circumvented.

I like Vegas, been to the O a few times, but just for me personally it got a bit tedious hiking 15 odd hours to the same city each year. One can look at FIBO in Europe each May which gets approx 45,000 people in attendence or so annually, and that is with an expo/strongman show/pros visiting - no actual pro show per se. Far higher attendence than the O....

[bigdumbbell]

yes, they said 9,000 people attend the O final

[slaveboy1980]

The Caribbean, but what I said applies to numerous nations, at least 100 or so. That said, I am in the US constantly using a perfectly legal way to avoid the visa issues. They can be circumvented.

I like Vegas, been to the O a few times, but just for me personally it got a bit tedious hiking 15 odd hours to the same city each year. One can look at FIBO in Europe each May which gets approx 45,000 people in attendence or so annually, and that is with an expo/strongman show/pros visiting - no actual pro show per se. Far higher attendence than the O....

CQ: did you have a lot of smelly and sweaty "bodybuilders" after you, when you visited the mr o?