On August 1st, the bodybuilding world got an incredible jolt, as Ben Weider's dream of full recognition in the IOC came true. According to sources, Ben Weider received a phone call from someone in the International Olympic Committee (IOC), congratulating him and informing him of the IOC's decision to grant the sport of bodybuilding full and final approval.
After 54 years, since 1946, of 'blood, sweat, and tears', the impossible dream is finally coming true. Bodybuilding is now recognized in the same manner as the rest of the approved Olympic sports. This is truly a great time for the sport of bodybuilding.

So how does Ben Weider feel after this momentous time. Ben feels like he is flying around without an airplane, like he is on Cloud 9.

However, there two stages in getting to the Olympic games in Athens in 2004. The first stage was that you needed to have full and final approval from the IOC. That stage was just completed. The reason for that is that you can't deal with anyone in the IOC until they recognize you as one of the Olympic federations.

The next step that is needed is to work towards demonstration status in which the IFBB and Ben Weider are working on now, so that the sport of bodybuilding can participate as a demonstration sport in the Greek Games of 2004. That step will start by making a presentation to the Greek Organizing Committee,

So what was the difference between the original letter and breakthrough 2 years ago and this time. The original letter gave the sport of bodybuilding what they called a 2-year temporary recognition. Now, bodybuilding has full, absolute recognition which cannot be revoked.

The official confirmation letter from the IOC is on the way!!!

So let's say congratulations to Ben Weider for all of his hard work and determination. All the people who did not believe in Ben Weider and his dream, especially ones who called it 'The Impossible Dream'; especially writers who ridiculed him; especially magazines which showed a sketch of Ben hugging and kissing the rear end of an IOC official; all of them should publicly apologize to be Ben for being wrong.

Because Ben made the impossible dream happen!

"Sure. Over my dead body!" That's the response International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) President Ben Weider received when he first petitioned for International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition for the sport of bodybuilding from Lord Killanin, former President of the IOC. But this negative response didn't deter Weider. With the assistance and support of his brother Joe, and numerous IFBB Committee Members, Weider fiercely continued to strive for Olympic recognition by gaining support from Olympic Committee members and educating them on the positive aspects of bodybuilding.
In January 1998, the IFBB finally received Olympic recognition and, after 54 years of "blood, sweat, and tears," the IFBB was awarded permanent status on 1 August 2000. Not one to rest on his laurels, Weider has already petitioned the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee to feature bodybuilding as a demonstration sport, a necessary prerequisite for participation as a medal sport.

As the guiding visionaries of the IFBB, the Weiders have created the 5th largest sport federation in the world comprised of 171 member countries. It's a member of the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF); its athletes participate in several regional and international games recognized by the IOC, including the Pan American Games, South American Games, Central American Games, Asian Games, Arab Games and World Games. The IFBB is recognized by more than 100 national Olympic committees.

The following are questions I addressed to Weider related to bodybuilding and the Olympics:

RW: What does full Olympic acceptance mean to the sport?

Weider: Full Olympic acceptance means that bodybuilding is now accepted as a legitimate sport like any other Olympic sport. This means that bodybuilders will have the same prestige as other Olympic athletes and will have the opportunity to represent their countries on a world level during the Olympic Games.

RW: Who and how many athletes will be able to compete in the Olympics?

Weider - Every national federation that is a member of the IFBB will be allowed to send a team of up to 5 athletes (and 2 delegates).

RW: How does a bodybuilder become an Olympic candidate?

Weider: A national federation selects Olympic candidates to represent bodybuilding. The same system applies to all Olympic sports.

RW: What type of drug testing will be conducted?

Weider: We follow the exact same drug testing rules as dictated by the International Olympic Committee.

RW: What is the role of the National Physique Committee (NPC) in the Olympic process?

Weider: The NPC is involved with bodybuilding on a national level only. The NPC controls bodybuilding in the U.S.A. and operates according to the constitution of the IFBB, but they have no say on the international level. The NPC selects American teams and delegates.

RW: When is the earliest possible time bodybuilders will appear in the Olympics?

Weider: I am directing my full efforts towards getting bodybuilding accepted as a demonstration sport at the Olympic Games, which will take place in Athens, Greece, in 2004.

During a recent meeting with Ben Weider and members of the IFBB Executive Council, IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch stated, "Mr. Weider, you are a tenacious fighter for your sport." Thanks to this tenacious commitment and the dedication of Ben and Joe Weider, the stars have never shown brighter on the sport of bodybuilding. The IFBB and bodybuilding has finally achieved the ultimate level of sport-FULL Olympic acceptance.

Chef

Now they will finally have to learn how to cycle and use gear that will be out of their system by competition time.

It can be done, but the size difference will probably be noticeable.

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