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Mr. Olympia is an international bodybuilding competition which is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB). Winning is considered to be the highest accolade in the professional bodybuilding field. The competition was invented by Joe Weider to allow the Mr. Universe winners to continue competing and to earn money. The first Mr. Olympia was held on September 18, 1965 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York City.
The record number of wins is eight, held by Lee Haney (1984-1991) and Ronnie Coleman (1998-2005).
The 2006 Mr. Olympia will be held on September 30 in Las Vegas.
The film Pumping Iron (1977), featured the build up to the 1975 Mr. Olympia and helped launch the acting careers of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno, both finalists in the contest.
There is a parallel contest, the Ms. Olympia, for female bodybuilders. In addition, the Fitness Olympia and Figure Olympia are held for fitness and figure competitors, respectively.
History
1960s
The 1965 and 1966 Mr Olympia were won by Larry Scott, a famous bodybuilder of the time. Scott displayed a physique with defined muscle shape in his biceps, triceps, shoulders and chest, which were all large, rounded and fully shaped. His upper arms measured over 20 inches and were, at the time, amongst the largest ever displayed at a professional bodybuilding competition. Scott subsequently retired after his 1966 victory.The 1967 Mr Olympia heralded a new era in bodybuilding competition. Sergio Oliva, nicknamed "The Myth", won the next 3 Mr Olympia competitions. At 5ft 9ins and 240lbs in bodyweight, Oliva displayed a level of muscle mass and definition - including a "V" shape of a large, well-formed upper-body that tapered down to a narrow waist - that had been previously unseen in prior competitions. His upper arms measured nearly 22 inches, with his chest measured at 56 inches, which tapered down to a 29 inch waist and two well-muscled legs. Oliva would go on to win the Mr. Olympia competition in 1967, 1968, and 1969 - where he would defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger, marking Schwarzenegger's first and only loss in a Mr. Olympia competition.
1970s
Arnold Schwarzenegger defeated Sergio Oliva at the 1970 Mr Olympia after finishing second the year before. At 6ft 2inches and 240lbs. he was able to match Sergio Oliva for size in his upper arms, chest and back. However, contest judges deemed that Schwarzenegger's extra definition and muscularity over Sergio Oliva were substantial enough to award him the title. Schwarzenegger successfully defended his title against Oliva in 1972, after which Oliva retired from the IFBB. Schwarzenegger went on to win the next three Mr. Olympia competitions, including the 1975 Mr. Olympia competition, which was highlighted in the film Pumping Iron and featured other notable bodybuilders such as Lou Ferrigno, Serge Nubret, and Franco Columbu, who would go on to win the 1976 competition.After winning the 1975 competition, Schwarzenegger announced his retirement from competitive bodybuilding.
Frank Zane won the 1977, 1978, and 1979 competitions. While not as physically massive as previous competitors such as Schwarzenegger, Oliva, or Ferrigno, Zane developed his physique to highlight symmetry, aesthetics, and definition. As such, Zane was able to defeat opponents who exceeded his own muscle-mass but lacked his level of muscular definition.
1980s
In 1980, Schwarzenegger came out of retirement to win in what has been viewed as controversial decision. Based on a noticeable lack of conditioning from his previous competitions, allegations were made that Schwarzenegger was declared the winner based on his popularity and increasing celebrity, rather than his physique. Critics argued that the judges had been changed to those of Schwarzenegger's associates, and that Schwarzenegger himself had been a late entry into the competition.The following year, Columbu was awarded a similarly controversial victory, which led critics to argue that the judging had lost its objective viewpoint and now awarded on reputation rather than quality of physique.
Chris Dickerson won the 1982 competition, featuring a low percentage of overall body fat that highlighted each muscle in his physique.
Samir Bannout won the 1983 competition, displaying increased symmetry and muscular aesthetics.
Possessing significant muscle mass, definition, symmetry, and separation, Lee Haney won a record-setting eight consecutive competitions, starting in 1984.
1990s
Haney retired from competitive bodybuilding after his last Mr. Olympia victory in 1991.Having placed 2nd to Haney the previous year, Dorian Yates won the 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 competitions. During this time, judging in professional bodybuilding competitions started placing greater emphasis on muscle mass, with many bodybuilding traditionalists commenting that muscle mass had now become the most important factor to winning, even greater than that of symmetry, aesthetics and proportion.
Yates retired from competitive bodybuilding after his 1997 victory. Starting in 1998, Ronnie Coleman won the next eight competitions.
2000s
Coleman, the current Mr. Olympia, has won the Mr. Olympia competition eight consecutive times, tying the record set by Haney. Ben Weider, IFBB President, commented in a press release that Coleman would be returning to defend his title in 2006.Qualifying
All Mr. Olympia competitors must meet the qualifying criteria. Possible methods of qualifying are:
- Previous Mr. Olympia winner (but if more than 5 years have passed IFBB approval is required)
- Top 6 finalist from previous year's Mr. Olympia
- Top 6 finalist from same year's Arnold Classic
- Top 5 finalist from same year's New York Men’s Professional (previously the Night of the Champions)
- Top 3 finalist from any other competition in the I.F.B.B professional tour held during the subsequent year prior to the Mr. Olympia
- The winner of the Masters Professional World Championships
On top of this, the event organizer can nominate one competitor, who has not qualified by other means, as a “special invitee”. It was this rule that allowed Schwarzenegger to enter the 1980 contest, despite being "retired" until a few weeks before the show.
Winners
Number of wins
| Wins | Names | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Lee Haney | 1984-1991 |
| Ronnie Coleman | 1998-2005 | |
| 7 | Arnold Schwarzenegger | 1970-1975, 1980 |
| 6 | Dorian Yates | 1992-1997 |
| 3 | Sergio Oliva | 1967-1969 |
| Frank Zane | 1977-1979 | |
| 2 | Larry Scott | 1965-1966 |
| Franco Columbu | 1976, 1981 | |
| 1 | Chris Dickerson | 1982 |
| Samir Bannout | 1983 |
External links
- Olympia 2006
- GetBig Bodybuilding Resource
- Olympia Database Mr. Olympia Contest Pages
Professional bodybuilding competitions
Mr. Olympia | Mr. Olympia | Mister Olympia | Mister Olympia | Mr Olympia | Mr. Olympia | Mr. Olympia | Mr. Olympia
"Mr. Olympia"