Can Arnold Classic become Premier BB Event?

[strong island]

If any competition can become more important than the Olympia it is the Arnold.

Do you think the Arnold Classic can become the Premier even in Bodybuilding? The number one ranked Jay Cutler is skipping the Mr. O to focus on the 2003 Arnold. The prize money goes up every year.

Either Joe Weider will have to spread some of the wealth around or his Mr. O will be history. He has made his million off of the sweat and blood of hundreds of desparate bodybuilder...I hope Arnold takes control of Professional Bodybuilding and hires judges who look for more than massive size. It is better for the sport and the health of the competitors.

 

[gymrat]

The Olympia is like the super bowl. It's the big show where all top pros compete.

 

[strong island]

The NFL makes a lot of money off the SuperBowl but so do the teams involved...and the players these days are all millionaires.

Bodybuilder make no money. If you place 11th in the Olympia you don't get shit.

The prize money is a joke.

 

[c3bodybuilding]

The Arnold Classic IS bigger than the Olympia in every way. It's a huge weekend of expo, fitness shows, bodybuilding for men and women, even some powerlifting and martial arts. The athletes get way more prize money. I think it could be bigger than the O, if Arnold really wanted it to be, or started his own federation. But the only problem is, the name Olympia has been associated with being the best in bodybuilding for decades. It's what most young bodybuilders dream of ("I want to be Mr. Olympia"). But once you think about it, there is nothing too great about winning it anymore. Sure in Arnold, Sergio, etc days, it was a respected thing to be Mr. O. It was held in venues all over the world, London, Africa, Ny, etc. The Athletes looked healthy, and fit. People could look up to them as 'heros'. Today it's just some cheap event in a sleezy vegas hotel resort, a freakshow really. Just another Vegas oddity. The Athletes are far from anything a person can look up to, and look as if they will drop dead any min. They get shit money for all the work they do, and the risk they take. And why? Because two old pricks think they know what's best for the sport. Go figure.....

 

[strong island]

Because of the direction the IFBB has gone...most kids don't want to grow up to be "professional" bodybuilders.

I personally don't want to sacrifice my body and image like those guys do.

I love bodybuilding but I would not want to be 300 pounds ripped.

I want to put on some more size and then its all about balance and symmetry.

 

[c3bodybuilding]

Yes, it is sad indeed what has happened to this sport. Nobody wants to be a bodybuilder anymore, they just want to watch the circus act it's become.

I wouldn't want to become a pro either. Maybe that bullshit natural Mr. O, or something like that. But it's just not worth it.

I feel cheated. Like I grew up too late. If I was born in the 50's, or 60's, I could have enjoyed the golden years of this sport. But now, it's just not worth it.

I wonder what will happen when Weider kicks the bucket. Maybe things will change? Doubtful. If Flex Wheeler really comes in this year at 218, like he claims he will, and loses (or comes out of top 3), then I will lose all hope for bodybuilding.