How can anyone call what has happened with bodybuilding, progression? Guys are dying left and right. A lot of them need kidney transplants and have other problems as well.
And there has been no progress made in making the sport more popular, or getting more money for the 'athletes'. Lee Haney's last Olympia he won $120,000. Up until 04, Ronnie was getting $110,000. Only the past two years has he gotten $120,000. Shouldn't it have gone up by now?! What about lack of coverage? In the 80's and very early 90's espn would broadcast these shows. Now you might be able to catch the O or Arnold on Payperview.
Bodybuilding was a closet sport when it started. The guys were laughed at and got no respect at all. They fought hard to get their voice heard. They earned the respect over years of work. It wasn't until Pumping Iron that people really saw that bodybuilders weren't a bunch of freaks. Then came the fitness explosion. Now just about everyone has been to a gym at least once in their life. But the bodybuilders lost the respect, and went from being viewed as role models of what hard work can do, to what taking this, this and that can do. Jay Cutler said in an interview that he gets laughed at when he goes out. You have some kids on the boards thinking if they got huge like Ronnie they will have respect. I guess there goes that idea.
Bodybuilding is dying. AMI buying out most of the Weider empire pretty much sealed the deal on that. They will suck whatever money they can out of it, and then leave it for dead. There needs to be a big change, and fast. I doubt it will happen though, but let's keep our eye's on the mags to see who's dying next or needs a new kidney.
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